Alameda County registrar Tim Dupuis faces scrutiny

OAKLAND, Calif. - On the day the Alameda County Board of Supervisors accepted the certified election results for candidates and measures from the Registrar of Voters, the head of the registrar faced scrutiny from emboldened residents.

These residents have successfully organized recalls of Oakland's mayor and the county district attorney, potentially signaling more political chaos.

Chants of "We deserve better" and "Fire Tim Dupuis" filled the air outside the county administration office Tuesday.

As the board grapples with replacing the district attorney, the same group that orchestrated two recalls is zeroing in on registrar Tim Dupuis.

"Demanding that the Board of Supervisors fires Tim Dupuis, the Registrar of Voters," said Edward Escobar of the Anti-Dupuis campaign.

Edward Escobar from the Anti-Dupuis campaign called for the board to remove Dupuis. The group accuses Dupuis of wrongdoing during his 12 years at the helm of the office. Accusations include botched ranked-choice voting, prolonged vote tallying, and inefficiencies that undermine voter confidence.

"Rank choice voting; many of us do not like it because it's so confusing. Why does it take so long? Hawaii finishes its elections before us. We're the laughingstock of the country," said campaigner Mark Zulum.

The Anti-Dupuis group is diverse.

"What happens when you have 10 candidates in that large race for city council and the voting screen displays only eight names?" asked Tuan Ngo of Asians United.

Added Escobar, "We have the culmination of an election that has not been fair, just, and equitable for all," added Escobar.

There are also complaints of poor resource management and a lack of transparency.

Dupuis has not yet responded to KTVU's request regarding these accusations.

The Registrar cannot be recalled but can be removed by the Board of Supervisors, who themselves can face recalls.