Recall of Montebello councilmember reaches signature requirement for November ballot

The recall of Montebello Councilmember Angie Jimenez is set for the November ballot. Here's how we got here.

Residents seeking the recall of Montebello Councilmember Angie Jimenez have met the signature requirement, paving the way for the resolution to be on November ballot.

During the upcoming Wednesday, July 24, meeting, Montebello City Council members will vote whether to approve the recall resolution to be placed on the ballot for the Nov. 5 election.

“This deceptive recall was instigated by and (is) being funded by land developers who misled my constituents to secure their signatures,” Jimenez said in a statement Friday evening. “I remain committed to championing my community, mobilizing my supporters, and prevailing over the recall.”

On May 27, the petition for recall was approved to begin gathering signatures. Jimenez’s District 5 has 5,553 registered voters meaning the recall needed 25% of that total or 1,388 signatures in 90 days, according to a staff report.

The Los Angeles County Elections Office Thursday, July 18, determined there were 2,023 valid signatures. If City Council does not act within 14 days the county would set the date for the election within five days.

According to the website, recallAngieJimenez.com, Jimenez has been repeatedly absent from council meetings and voted against reinstating the Traffic and Safety Commission and the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget.

“Councilmember Jimenez has failed to fulfill the basic tenets of public service, both on the dais and by neglecting to even show up for the role she was elected to perform,” organizers of the recall said in a statement. “Unsurprisingly, she could not be bothered to submit a response to the Notice of Intention served to her in which she was accused of being unresponsive to her constituents.”

Jimenez was first elected to City Council in 2018.