Community Corner

California Recall: Where To Vote In Pacific Palisades

The gubernatorial recall election that will decide Gov. Gavin Newsom's fate arrives Tuesday. Here's how to find a polling place near you.

Vote Here
Vote Here (Jenna Fisher/Patch)

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA — A gubernatorial recall election could unseat first-term Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom this week. Ballots have already arrived in mailboxes across the state, but Californians will have an opportunity to vote in person on Tuesday.

There were 5.67 million people registered to vote in Los Angeles as of Aug. 30, according to the California Secretary of State's office.


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

Find out what's happening in Pacific Palisadesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The state Republican Party last month decided not to endorse a candidate, but conservative talk show host Larry Elder has become the party’s front-runner, leading polls for months.

In a recent poll from UC Berkeley, Elder was the clear leading choice for people planning to vote for a recall candidate in the election, with a 28 percent point lead over the next closest candidate.
Democrats have stood behind Newsom throughout 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.

Find out what's happening in Pacific Palisadesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

On the ballot, voters will be asked two things: First, whether Newsom should be recalled, and second, who should replace him if he’s recalled. 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 or around Pacific Palisades.

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 are some drop boxes near you:

  • Palisades Branch Library, 861 Alma Real Drive, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Get Directions
  • Palisades Recreation Center, 851 Alma Real Dr., Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 Get Directions

Click here to find more drop boxes across California.

Polling Places

Pacific Palisades residents can vote on election day or choose to vote in person early. In-person voting locations will offer same-day voter registration, replacement ballots, accessible voting machines and language assistance for those who need it.

Voting locations are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day at the following locations in and around Pacific Palisades.

  • Palisades Recreation Center, 851 Alma Real Dr, Pacific Palisades CA 90272 Hours: September 4 - September 13: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM September 14: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM Estimated Wait: 15 min or less. Additional Info: Small Gymnasium
  • Christine Emerson Reed Park, 1133 7th St, Santa Monica CA 90403 Hours: September 11 - September 13: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM September 14: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM Estimated Wait: 15 min or less. Additional Info: Joslyn Hall
  • Civic Center Parking Structure, 330 Olympic Dr 2nd Floor, Santa Monica CA 90401 Hours: September 11 - September 13: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM September 14: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM Estimated Wait: 15 min or less. Additional Info: Santa Monica Institute-SMI Training Rm

Click here to find more area polling places across California.

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 gubernatorial recall election:

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