Recall Effort Against LA Councilwoman Imelda Padilla Requires 17,700 Signatures

Los Angeles, CA – Five San Fernando Valley residents have officially initiated proceedings to recall Los Angeles City Councilwoman Imelda Padilla, citing a "pattern of behavior and decisions that have failed to represent the best interest of our community." The group, consisting of James Adrian Stein, Steven Leffert, Gwendolyn Flynn, Stephen Fredreick Smith, and Karen Schatz, filed a notice of intent to recall with the City Clerk's Office on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. This action formally informs Councilwoman Padilla that recall efforts are underway.

The residents, all from Padilla's Sixth Council District, allege that the councilwoman has demonstrated a lack of transparency and accountability to her constituents, consistently disregarding community input and stakeholder voices. According to paperwork filed with the city, > "Our community deserves ethical, responsive, and committed leadership. The recall of Council member Padilla is not just about one vote or one issue -- it is about restoring trust and ensuring our council truly reflects and serves the will of the people."

The recall effort stems from several controversial actions and statements by Padilla since she took office in 2023. A primary point of contention involves her comments on a "Pod Save America" podcast, where she defended her role in reducing a 100% affordable housing project in her district from six stories to three, while adding more parking spaces. Critics argue this decision undermines efforts to address the city's severe homelessness crisis.

Another significant concern raised by the recall proponents is Councilwoman Padilla's handling of a proposed Tiny Home Village near a Metrolink station in Sun Valley. Residents have expressed fears about potential increases in crime and community impact, alleging that Padilla failed to conduct adequate outreach or inform constituents about the project. While a representative for Padilla did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the recall, Padilla did introduce a motion to address some of the concerns surrounding the Tiny Home Village, stating during a council meeting, "I wanted to take a stand and make it known to all of my Sun Valley constituents who are watching and following that items 21 and 26 are for you."

The notice of intent marks the initial step in a lengthy recall process. After the paperwork is served to Padilla, a 28-day period must pass before recall petitions can begin circulation, provided they are approved by the City Clerk. Proponents will then have 120 days to collect a substantial number of signatures. Under city regulations, a recall petition requires valid signatures from registered voters equivalent to at least 15% of the registered voters eligible to vote in the district. For the Sixth Council District, which has over 118,000 registered voters, this translates to approximately 17,700 signatures needed to trigger a recall election.