New Mexico: Ortiz opponents need 82,436 signatures

Fri, Jan 24 2014 — Source: Albaquerque Journal

Bernalillo County Treasurer Manny Ortiz faced two hours of stern questioning when he took the stand during his recall hearing Thursday.

But he had some good news afterward: The county’s Legal Department and Elections Bureau say it would take 82,436 signatures to force Ortiz into a recall election, far more than his opponents had expected.

The treasurer’s testimony came in a hearing before state District Judge Alan Malott.

Opponents of Ortiz are asking Malott to allow them to start the signature-gathering required to trigger a recall election. They’re trying to show “probable cause” that Ortiz committed malfeasance or misfeasance in office.

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