Californians react with relief, frustration to recall ruling

TUSTIN, Calif. (AP) -- Vicki Dutcher shook her head Monday at news that a federal appeals court panel had decided to postpone the Oct. 7 recall election.

It was the latest development to hit voters already reeling at the often confusing, fast-moving effort to oust Gov. Gray Davis.

"The games these people play," said Dutcher, 45, of Tustin. "I guess it's typical politics, typical politicians, typical attorneys."

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals postponed the historic election after hearing arguments that it could disenfranchise thousands of voters by using error-prone punch-card ballots -- the same system at the center of ballot problems in the 2000 presidential election in Florida.

Across the state, news of the ruling was met with a mix of relief and scorn.

"I think the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has just told us that the last 25 years of elections are inadequate to support the election of any candidates," said Scott Fox, 47, of San Diego.

Bob Coates, 60, had just cast his absentee ballot at the San Diego registrar's office when he heard about the court ruling.

"I guess I was smart enough to figure it out," he said.

In downtown Sacramento, Lisa Holifield, 22, said the ruling may motivate her to participate in the election.

"What happened in Florida was just absurd, and I haven't voted since then. It just doesn't seem like my vote counts," she said. "It is a sign -- if they do postpone it -- that they're really caring. So maybe I'll care more."

But Noe Valadez of Davis, who did not give his age, said he was offended by the ruling.

"I may not be the most intelligent person in the world, but at least I can figure out how to use a voting machine," he said.

Gary Gilbert, 59, a Republican who lives in the San Joaquin Valley town of North Fork, also was disappointed.

"I was looking forward where this thing was going to go, which candidates were going to be (left) at the end," said Gilbert, a Madera County supervisor.

"Personally, I wasn't comfortable with the recall," he added. "The governor was elected by the people and he was going to be recalled by a small percentage by the people. It wasn't going to make sense to have a democratic controlled legislature and a Republican governor -- there would be more gridlock."

Others said they hoped a postponed election would give them more time to assess the candidates and their positions.

"I don't like things when they are rushed. It's ridiculous, the wide field of candidates, the short election," said Vana Meydag, 50, of Whittier. "Maybe postponing is a good thing to give people time to reflect on what's going on."

Meydag still hadn't decided which candidate she'll support.

"It was moving so fast, I couldn't keep up with it," she said.

Carla Poellnitz, 50, of Mission Viejo said she has always questioned the recall.

"I don't think electing another governor would put the state in a better financial position," she said. "You can't save what's not there. I worry about the money."

Don Matthewson, 59, of Perris said postponing the election might be the first step to completely halting the process.

"Maybe we'll save $70 million," he said of the estimated cost of the election.

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Associated Press writers Kim Baca in Fresno, Seth Hettena in San Diego and Anna Oberthur in Sacramento contributed to this report.