CA Recall Voter Guide: Who's In And What To Expect

CALIFORNIA — In less than a month, Californians will cast their final votes to decide whether first-term Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom will remain in office or be replaced by another candidate. The recall effort gained traction as frustration grew over Newsom's handling of the pandemic.

The recall effort has dominated headlines for months and sent the governor back on the campaign trail before his term was up. It could cost counties an estimated $215 million. Californians who have paid the recall any mind have been introduced to dozens of gubernatorial hopefuls, with just a handful of Republicans and perhaps one Democrat making any impression.

It's not surprising if this particularly odd election, unfolding in the midst of California's ongoing coronavirus pandemic, has prompted some head-scratching. Here's what you need to know.

What Is A Recall?

It may feel unprecedented, but this is not the first time a recall of a California governor has been attempted. There have been 55 recall attempts since 1913; just two of them actually qualified for the ballot: the recall of former Gov. Gray Davis and now of Newsom.

The only successful recall attempt in state history unseated Davis in 2003 and replaced him with "The Terminator" star Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served as the state's 38th governor until 2011. It was the last time a Republican was governor in California.

California has had recall elections as part of its political system since 1911. The process allowed 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.

When Is The Recall Election?

Election Day is set for Sept. 14, but most Californians have already received their ballots in the mail.

How Can I Vote?

Every registered voter in California received a recall election ballot this month, and there are ballot drop boxes throughout each of California's 58 counties in which to deposit them. Please check your county or city website to find a ballot box near you.

Those who would like to vote in person or sign up for same-day voter registration can search on their county website for polling locations. Accessible voting locations are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 11 to Sept. 13 and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

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

Who's Running?

The recall contest pits 45 candidates against Newsom, including 23 Republicans, nine Democrats and 13 others of alternate or no party preference. That group shrank from 46 total candidates after former U.S. Rep. Doug Ose (R) withdrew his bid for governor after having a heart attack.

Both the state's Republican and Democratic parties decided not to endorse a front-runner in the special election. For the GOP, delegates feared that rallying behind a particular front-runner could alienate voters who are passionate about a particular candidate.

While there are a handful of Republican hopefuls who have energized voters and gained traction recently, most Democrats are still standing solely behind Newsom, despite a few lesser-known Democrats who will appear on the ballot.

Democrats are also urging 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.

How Could Newsom Be Recalled?

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.

Where Did The Recall Effort Begin?

During the course of the pandemic, schools were shuttered for more than a year, and residents of the most populous state were asked to remain under a stricter set of coronavirus rules than most other states. At the height of it all, Newsom was spotted at a fancy Napa restaurant, The French Laundry, dining with a group of friends in the same week he told Californians to stay home.

The recall effort technically sprouted as a grassroots effort before the pandemic severely affected Californians. It was launched by Orrin Heatlie, a retired sheriff's sergeant.

"I'm participating in something that is monumental and historic, and it's something that, you know, this country was founded on," he told The Desert Sun. "We're bringing government back to represent the people."

Newsom has pushed back against the effort to unseat him, arguing that the campaign was 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."

Who Are The Top Candidates?

1. Larry Elder

Talk show host Larry Elder may have entered the game a bit later than other recall hopefuls, but he has catapulted to the top of the GOP candidate list in terms of voter popularity. He also fortified his ascent by raising a strong $4.5 million for his campaign in just 19 days, government records showed.

2. Kevin Faulconer

Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, who participated in last week's televised gubernatorial debate, has been identified as the more moderate choice among the other Republican candidates.

He's also right on Elder's heels in terms of how much money he's collected for his campaign: $4 million. Those funds came from a trio of committees linked to the recall for runs for governor in 2021 and 2022.

3. John Cox

Businessman John Cox, who lost to Newsom by a landslide in an earlier election, generated a fair amount of buzz this election season. So far, he's dubbed himself "the beast," campaigned with a live bear and raised $418,000 in campaign funds through the end of July.

4. Kevin Kiley

Assemblyman Kevin Kiley may be one of Newsom's loudest critics on social media, receiving hundreds of retweets and likes for his jabs at the progressive governor. He's also the youngest among the most prominent Republican recall candidates, at 36. On Aug. 24, Kiley was endorsed by Ose, who dropped out of the race the week before after suffering a heart attack.

5. Caitlyn Jenner

Former Olympic athlete turned reality television star Caitlyn Jenner is arguably Newsom's most famous contender, but recent polls saw her trailing all other candidates with 3 to 4 percent of support from respondents in two recent surveys. Jenner reported raising nearly $750,000 through the end of July, ending up with about $22,000 on hand after expenses. But the campaign was also carrying more than $150,000 in debt.

6. Kevin Paffrath

Recently, a poll revealed that 29-year-old YouTube star Kevin Paffrath was a top contender for Newsom's post, rising above Elder, who has been leading other polls, according to a survey from Survey USA and The San Diego Union-Tribune.

It’s a long shot, but Paffrath could unseat the governor solely based on the fact that he has nearly 1.7 million followers to his video channel, where he offers financial advice.

The other eight Democrats on the official ballot are essential unknowns.

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.

Read more about 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