California Recall: Where To Vote In Person

CALIFORNIA — Gov. Gavin Newsom will face a gubernatorial recall election that could unseat him this week. While many ballots have already been cast by mail, Californians will have an opportunity to vote in person to decide his fate on Tuesday.

There were 22,057,154 people registered to vote in California as of Aug. 30, according to the California Secretary of State's office. The deadline to register online for this election has passed but Californians can still register in person at a polling place on the day of the election.

Ballots include 46 candidates who are vying for Newsom's post, including 24 Republicans, nine Democrats and 13 others. But voters should know that former GOP Rep. Doug Ose withdrew his bid for governor last month after having a heart attack.

Although the state Republican Party last month decided not to endorse a candidate, conservative talk show host Larry Elder has become the party’s front runner, leading polls for months.
Democrats have stood behind Newsom through the entirety of the intensifying recall effort. On Monday, the governor was set to join President Joe Biden in Long Beach for a final rally against what they’ve referred to as a Republican recall effort.

On the 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: CA Recall Latest: How It Works And Who's Running

Here's how you can cast your vote in California.

Polling Places

Golden Staters can vote on Election Day or choose to vote in person early. 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.

Find a polling place near you using this tool.

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.

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 state in which to deposit them.

Find a drop box near you by visiting your county's website.

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 gubernatorial recall election:

• Larry Elder Ignites Voter Fraud Initiative Ahead Of Election
  
• CA Recall Candidate Profile: Meet Heather Collins
  
• Could The Republican Recall Candidates Create A Housing Boom Through Environmental Reform?
  
• Police Scramble To Find Larry Elder Egger
  
• California Recall Candidates Stretch The Truth On COVID, Climate Change And More
  
• Larry Elder Egged As Hostile Crowd Chases Him From Venice Stop
  
• Meet John Cox: California Recall Candidate Profile
  
• Meet Kevin Paffrath: California Recall Candidate Profile
  
• California Recall Fueled By A Dinner, A Ruling On Same Day
  
• Inside Larry Elder's Focus On Race