The Latest: Senate recall could cost counties $2.6 million

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The Latest on special elections in the California Legislature (all times local):

2 p.m.

State officials say a recall election against a Democratic state senator will be cheaper if held on the statewide primary day rather than on a special election day.

Sen. Josh Newman of Fullerton is the target of a recall effort over his support for increasing the gas tax. If he loses, Democrats will lose their Senate supermajority.

Democrats passed a bill this year requiring the state Department of Finance to estimate a recall’s cost before it is scheduled. The department says creating a special election for the recall would cost San Bernardino, Orange and Los Angeles Counties combined more than $2.6 million. It estimates holding the recall on June 5, the statewide primary day, would cost only $931,000.

Newman’s chances of winning the recall may be greater in a higher turnout election.

Democrats have lost their Assembly supermajority due to resignations over sexual misconduct claims.

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10:45 a.m.

Voters in a Los Angeles Assembly district will be without a representative until at least April.

That’s when a special primary election will be held to replace former Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra, who resigned amid sexual misconduct claims last month. If no candidate gets 50 percent of the vote, a general election will be held June 5.

Gov. Jerry Brown announced the special election dates Monday.

Bocanegra is one of two San Fernando Valley Democrats to resign amid misconduct claims. Assemblyman Matt Dababneh is resigning effective Jan. 1 following a lobbyist’s allegation he sexually assaulted her in a bathroom. He denies her allegation. A special election date for Dababneh’s seat hasn’t been set.

The two resignations take away Democrats’ Assembly supermajority needed to pass tax and fee increases.