I'm not the brightest bulb on the tree but isn't it the signatures we're counting as required (and allowed) by law?

Siting money contributed as the benchmark for showing an interest ignores the number of people whose names are on the recall petition. That is like saying that my vote doesn't count unless I pay money into the persons campaign for whom I desire to cast my vote. Sec. of State will not disqualify my vote for that non-reason.