Under the ruling issued Monday, the Kings County Registrar of Voters may not certify the results as the court considers the city's argument that the recall election is unlawful. Despite the order halting the count, voting in the recall election is still ongoing.
Avenal City Manager Antony Lopez said the city is waiting for further direction from the appellate court.
"I believe in seven days or in a few weeks, we should hear more from the appellate courts," Lopez said. "They'll probably be requesting more information from both sides to review the full merits of this case, which is what we've been asking for."
Lopez said the city has maintained from the start that it did not authorize the recall election.
"Since the beginning, we've said and we hold the position that we never approved for this recall and never sanctioned and never delegated to Kings County, hence the election is illegal," he said.
The recall targets Mayor Alvaro Preciado and councilmembers Leticia Gamez, David Reynosa and Pablo Hernandez. The terms for Mayor Preciado and Councilmember Hernandez are set to expire in November of this year.
Preciado said residents will have another opportunity to weigh in through regularly scheduled elections.
"There's an election in November, and there will be an election every two years, so if the community is really unhappy, they could've gotten rid of most councilmembers since 1979," Preciado said.
He added that the city plans to continue its legal fight.
"I encourage everyone to vote, it's their right but if the recall election is illegal, we have all the merits and the evidence and we're hoping we get justice," Preciado said.
Kings County leaders said the cost of the recall election is $56,707. Supporters of the recall say they remain optimistic despite the court order stopping the ballot count.
"Actually, the reason I see this as a positive for us is because it's going to make people more aware and it's going to make people have that fire in them to go and vote," said Dalilah Barajas, who is involved in organizing the recall.
Kings County has previously stated that recall proponents met all legal requirements and that it is the county's responsibility to administer the process in accordance with state law. County officials have also said they do not take sides in the outcome of the election.
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