CALIFORNIA RECALL: CRASHCOURSE

A special election to recall Governor Gavin Newsom is rapidly approaching. The election will occur on September 14th, 2021. This is only the second recall election in the state’s history to qualify for the state ballot. Many voters may be wondering, what is a recall, why does it happen, and how does it work? Here is the rundown!

Recalls are elections made when constituents wish to replace their representatives before the next election. They were created and approved in 1911 in the state of California, during a period of many Progressive era reforms. While recalls happen in all 50 states of the Union, it is easier and more common to hold recall elections in California than anywhere else. There have been 179 attempts to recall a governor, but the majority of them have not happened. The only other recall that has happened was the recall of Governor Gray Davis in 2003, who was replaced by Arnold Schwarznegger. 

In order for a recall to happen, a petition must be filed by enough people to equal 12% of the turnout from the last election for governor. The petition must also include at least 1% of the turnout for the last vote for an office in 5 counties. Proponents of the recall petition only have 160 days to gather signatures. After being examined by the California Secretary of State, if the petition meets all requirements, voters have 30 days to change their minds. If there are still enough signatures after the 30 days are up, the recall election is set up. 

These are the requirements to be a candidate for governor in a recall election In California

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be registered to vote in California
• Cannot be convicted of certain felonies
• Cannot be the governor up for recall
• Deadline to file is up to 59 days before the election 

The ballot itself asks two questions. One: Should the Governor be recalled? You can answer yes or no to this question. And then, regardless of whether you answered yes or no, you pick who you would like to replace the current governor. If more people answer no then yes, the current governor stays in office. If more people answer yes than no, then the candidate with the most votes wins.

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