EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — A group of community organizers seeking to recall El Paso City Rep. Cynthia Trejo held a press conference outside City Hall to challenge what they describe as an unlawful signature requirement for the recall petition.
The organizers said Josh Dagda planned to file a petition for a writ of mandamus in district court Thursday morning against the city clerk.
Dagda said he will ask the court to compel the city to comply with Texas law and the El Paso City Charter in calculating the signature threshold required for a recall petition.
The press conference was scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in the front courtyard at City Hall. Listed speakers were Dagda, recall filer; Brian Kennedy, an attorney and former city representative; and Kathleen Zurlinden, an organizer.
Dagda filed an intent to recall Trejo on June 17, 2026, citing her vote to continue the city’s tax abatement contract with the Meta data center. Organizers said they have been collecting signatures from registered voters in District 4 who oppose Trejo’s vote.
Recall organizers dispute El Paso’s 4,233-signature threshold for Trejo recall petition
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According to the organizers, the city charter requires recall petitioners to submit signatures from registered voters equal to at least 20% of the total number of votes cast in the election in which the officer was elected. Trejo was elected in the December 2024 runoff election, the organizers said.
However, the city clerk is citing a 1984 ordinance to calculate the threshold based on 20% of the total votes cast in the general election, the organizers said. They said that interpretation would require 4,233 signatures instead of 786.
“This move by the City of El Paso is an egregious attempt to continue protecting a City Representative who has chosen to side with Meta over El Pasoans,” the organizers said. “We must ensure that El Pasoans get a fair election process and that the will of the people, not corporations, governs our City.”
The city provided the following statement:
The City is aware of statements made regarding the District 4 recall petition and respects the organizers’ right to seek judicial review of the signature requirement.The recall requirements were calculated in accordance with Section 2.1(C) of the City Charter and Ordinance No. 8066, which govern the City’s recall process. Based on the certified results of the November 2024 general election for District 4, the petition must contain at least 4,233 valid signatures from registered District 4 voters.The City Clerk’s Office administers the recall process in a neutral manner and does not take a position for or against any recall effort. If a petition is submitted within the required 60-day period, the Clerk’s Office will review it for compliance with the City Charter, City ordinance and applicable state law. If the petition is determined to be sufficient, it will be submitted to the City Council. If the elected official does not resign, the Council would order a recall election on the next date permitted by law.The City will review any court filing and respond through the appropriate legal process. Because this matter may be the subject of litigation, the City respectfully declines to comment further on the organizers’ legal claims.
The Election Office Response provided the following statement:
The recall process would be handled through the city clerk’s office. I would direct you to them for information on the petitions and procedures.
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