Recalling California’s Governor Gavin Newsom, Explained
So, is it election year again in California? Will voters be asked to toss a governor just a year shy of the end of his term? It’s now all but certain, because recall supporters have submitted the signatures necessary to get it on the ballot.
May 2, 2021 •
Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters Gov. Gavin Newsom is fighting for his political life. He’s working to fend off a recall that began as a far-fetched effort by Republican activists but has turned into a credible campaign that could throw the Democrat out of office.
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Recall Newsom volunteers help Richard McDougal, left, and his wife, Florence Lauzob, sign the forms during a petition signing event at SaveMart in Sacramento on Jan. 5, 2021. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters
California is one of 19 states that allow voters to remove state officials before the end of their term. No reason is necessary the only requirement to put a recall on the ballot is enough voter signatures. That number must be 12% of voters in the last election for the office, and must include voters in at least five counties. The magic number for Newsom’s would-be recallers: 1,495,709 valid signatures.