CA Recall: Ballot Drop Off, Polling Places In El Cerrito

EL CERRITO, CA — The Golden State's upcoming recall election could oust first-term Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom from office. Ballots have already arrived in mailboxes across the state, but Californians will have an opportunity to vote in person on Sept. 14.

There were 759,776 people registered to vote in Contra Costa County as of Aug. 30, according to the California Secretary of State's office.

If you are registering or re-registering less than 15 days before an election you will need to complete the Same-Day Voter Registration process and request your ballot in person at your county elections office or polling location. For more information on voter registration and voting locations, contact your local county elections official.

Ballots include 46 candidates who are vying for Newsom's job, including 24 Republicans, nine Democrats and 13 others.

On the recall ballot, voters will be asked whether Newsom should be recalled and who should replace him. If more than 50 percent of voters cast a ballot to recall Newsom, the replacement candidate with the largest share of votes will win the governor's seat.

Democrats are pleading with voters to leave question two — where voters can select a replacement candidate — blank amid a lawsuit and allegations that California's recall process is flawed. Read more about that here.

SEE ALSO: 2021 RECALL VOTER GUIDE FROM CALMATTERS

Here's how you can cast your vote in El Cerrito.

Ballot Drop Boxes

Every registered voter in California received a recall election ballot this month, and there are plenty of ballot drop boxes throughout the county in which to deposit them.

Here is a ballot drop box near you.

• El Cerrito City Hall, 10890 San Pablo Ave

Polling Places

A list of all all polling places that can be accessed through the Contra Costa County Elections voting information page.

Accessible voting locations are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 11 to Sept. 13 and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day at the following locations.

In-person voting locations will offer same-day voter registration, replacement ballots, accessible voting machines and language assistance for those who need it.

Ready to cast your vote? Don't forget that the state allows you to sign up to track your ballot throughout the process. Have any questions? Learn more about the recall election at the county website or by calling 510-272-6973.

What's A Recall?

California has had recall elections as part of its political system since 1911. The process allows the public to attempt to remove an elected public official from office before the end of his or her term. Before a recall election can be initiated, a certain number of voters must sign a recall petition within a specified amount of time.

The state has had 54 previous attempts to recall California governors. Only one governor was recalled in California's history: Gray Davis in 2003.

Newsom has pushed back against the effort to unseat him, painting the campaign as one backed by extremists, supporters of former President Donald Trump and those against the coronavirus vaccines.

"This is — and forgive me — a Republican-backed recall where the principal proponent of the recall effort wants to microchip immigrants," Newsom has said. "These folks don't believe in science let alone climate science, and they don't believe in the science behind this pandemic. There's a lot at stake for Californians in this race."

Read more about the California's gubernatorial recall election:

• Recall Candidate Doug Ose Exits Recall Race After Heart Attack
• Larry Elder Faces Claims Of Abuse, Financial Misrepresentation
• CA Recall: Newsom Lambasts Elder On Campaign Trail
• Lawsuit Argues California Recall Is Unconstitutional
• California Republicans Skip Recall Candidate Endorsement
• CA Recall Election: Who Is Running?
• Newsom Recall Election Officially Happening: What To Know
• A Serious Man: Can Kevin Faulconer Run For Governor Without The Gimmicks?
• Follow The Money: Gavin Newsom Recall Edition
• Total Recall: An Illustrated Guide To The Newsom Recall