Who can vote in a gubernatorial recall election?

Any registered voter within the State of California may vote in the gubernatorial recall election.

To confirm or update your voter registration status visit registertovote.ca.gov.

What does a recall ballot look like?

Recall ballots have two parts.

In the first part, you have the option to vote “yes” or “no” to the question of whether to remove the Governor from office.

In the second part, regardless of how you vote on the first part, you have an opportunity to select a replacement candidate, and those votes for a successor candidate will only be counted if more than 50% of voters casting ballots vote yes to the first part to recall the Governor.

Where can I find information about the gubernatorial replacement candidates?

Information on candidates will be sent separately by the Secretary of State in the State Voter Information Guide.

How can I learn more about all the replacement candidates?

You will receive a separate Voter Information Guide from the Secretary of State in which candidates may have chosen to purchase space for a statement up to 250 words, if they accept the voluntary expenditure limits to run as a candidate. The current voluntary expenditure limit to run for Governor is $9,728,000.

What happens after the recall election?

If a majority of the voters vote “yes” on the first question, then the recall passes. The replacement candidate who gets the most votes is elected for the unexpired term of office.

If a majority of the voters vote “no” on the first question, then the recall has failed and the officer will remain in office.

If the current effort to recall Governor Newsom is successful, when would a new Governor take office?

County elections officials have 30 days after the election to complete the official canvass. On the 38th day after the election, if the recall is successful, the Secretary of State will certify the election results and the new Governor would take the oath of office and assume the position.

How do I get updates on the recall election process?

The Secretary of State’s Elections Division posts all updates on the website at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/prior-elections/statewide-election-results/2021-ca-gov-recall or you can visit our website at www.smcvote.org.

Estimated Costs to Administer the California Gubernatorial Recall Election

Pursuant to Elections Code section 11108(d), the Department of Finance, in consultation with the Secretary of State and county elections officials, has estimated the costs to administer the recall election of Governor Gavin Newsom to be $276 million. For more information relating to the costs of the recall election, please see the Secretary of State’s website at: elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/recalls/dept-finance-letter.pdf