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ALBUQUERQUE — Critics of City Councilor Don Harris have gathered enough signatures to force a recall election.

The City Clerk's Office accepted 993 signatures from the group New Mexicans for Democracy, about 70 more than required, said Kelly Fulgenzi, assistant city clerk.

Campaign organizer James Lowe said the signatures speak for themselves.

"It reflects the general mood of District 9," Lowe said. "When we talked to people, they were very unhappy."

Lowe said the group is continuing to go door-to-door to collect signatures in District 9, which includes parts of the Northeast and Southeast Heights, because Harris has a pending lawsuit in state District Court that seeks to clarify the requirements for a recall election.

Harris contends that the number of signatures set by the City Clerk's Office is unfair because it is based on a runoff election in November 2005.

Harris is asking a judge to order that the required number of signatures be based on higher turnout in the general election in October 2005. Petitioners would then need 2,000 signatures to force a recall.

Harris said today he expects a decision on the lawsuit by Wednesday.

The deadline for soliciting signatures forcing a recall is Aug. 3. Lowe said he believes his group can get 2,000 signatures by the deadline.

Harris, a lawyer, said today that the recall effort has been a strain on him.

"It's been hurting my business. It's been hurting my family. It's been a constant attack.