For the September 14, 2021, California Gubernatorial Recall Election, there will be a recall question presented on the ballot: “Shall GAVIN NEWSOM be recalled (removed) from the office of Governor?”
Following that recall question, all qualified replacement candidates for the office of governor will be listed. The candidates may list their qualified political party preference, or lack of qualified party preference, as well as their ballot designation (if the candidate chooses to provide that information) describing their principal occupation(s), profession(s), and/or vocation(s). Write-in replacement candidates for the office of governor can also run in the California Gubernatorial Recall Election.
If a majority of the votes on the recall question are “Yes,” Governor Newsom shall be removed from office and the replacement candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected for the remainder of the governor’s term of office. If one-half or more of the votes on the recall question are “No,” Governor Newsom shall remain in office.
This guide includes the “Statement of Reasons” submitted by the proponents of the recall and Governor Newsom’s answer to that statement.
Political parties are not entitled to formally nominate candidates for voter-nominated offices. The office of governor is a voter-nominated office. A candidate running for a voter-nominated office shall have their qualified party preference, or lack of qualified party preference, stated on the ballot, but the party preference designation is selected solely by the candidate and is shown for the information of the voters only. It does not mean the candidate is endorsed by the party designated, or that there is an affiliation between the party and candidate. In the county Voter Information Guide, parties may list the replacement candidates for the office of governor who have received the party’s official endorsement.
Voters, regardless of their party preference or lack of party preference, may vote for any replacement candidate. The party preference, if any, designated by a replacement candidate is selected by the candidate and is shown for the information of the voters only. It does not imply that the candidate is endorsed by the party or that the party approves of the candidate.