Editorial: California’s recall process needs to be fixed to prevent a repeat fiasco
3 years, 3 months ago

Editorial: California’s recall process needs to be fixed to prevent a repeat fiasco

LA Times  

There’s nothing inherently wrong with a system under which a majority of voters can recall their governor and pick a new one. The problem with the particular mechanics of California’s gubernatorial recall process is that they make possible the very opposite of what was intended — a very undemocratic outcome that could undermine rather than reflect the will of the people. The prospect arose again: Would Larry Elder, for example, become governor by beating all the other challengers but still garnering fewer votes than those who said no to the recall? Additional time for a runoff defeats the purpose of a recall, which is to allow voters to remove a governor under extraordinary circumstances, without waiting for the next regularly scheduled election.

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History of this topic

Editorial: California still hasn’t fixed its undemocratic recall rules
9 months ago

Editorial: California still hasn’t fixed its undemocratic recall rules

LA Times  

A fringe conservative group has launched yet another recall targeting Gov. That’s what happened in the previous recall attempts against the governor during his first term, including the last one that resulted in a special election in 2021. The recall election still failed, probably because it was motivated by Newsom’s liberal policies, which a majority of Californians favor. This seventh …

Column: Sore losers are trying to recall Newsom, again. They’re robbing voters of their voice
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Column: Sore losers are trying to recall Newsom, again. They’re robbing voters of their voice

LA Times  

Gavin Newsom is facing a seventh attempt to recall him from office. A group of Republicans involved in the failed 2021 recall effort announced this week that they’re trying again — marking the seventh attempt to short-circuit Newsom’s governorship. It’s also symptomatic of a larger ill. California Republicans to launch another long-shot effort to recall Newsom A group of Republicans …

Gavin Newsom faces another recall attempt. Will it do any better than 2021?
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Gavin Newsom faces another recall attempt. Will it do any better than 2021?

Raw Story  

This story was originally published by CalMatters, nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics. Gavin Newsom in 2021 have launched another attempt, arguing that conditions in California only worsened in the two-and-a-half years since then as Newsom’s attention shifted to national politics. Rescue California, one of the main political committees behind the 2021 recall, announced today that it …

Republicans Launch Another Recall Attempt Against California Gov. Newsom
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Republicans Launch Another Recall Attempt Against California Gov. Newsom

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Another effort to recall California Gov. “Gavin Newsom has abandoned the state to advance his presidential ambitions, leaving behind a $73 billion budget deficit and a public safety, immigration and education crisis,” Anne Dunsmore, the campaign’s director, told Politico. The Democratic Governors Association said Monday it’s backing Newsom, with executive director Meghan Meehan-Draper echoing the governor on …

Republicans to launch another long-shot effort to recall Newsom
9 months, 4 weeks ago

Republicans to launch another long-shot effort to recall Newsom

LA Times  

Gavin Newsom meets with Latino leaders in East Los Angeles working on the successful effort to defeat the 2021 effort to recall him from office. Rescue California, which ran a campaign in support of the 2021 attempt to recall Newsom, is the main proponent of the new effort, said Anne Dunsmore, campaign director of Rescue California. Newsom dismissed the latest …

Opinion: How Schwarzenegger’s recall victory 20 years ago reverberates in California now
1 year, 1 month ago

Opinion: How Schwarzenegger’s recall victory 20 years ago reverberates in California now

LA Times  

Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger, left, and Gov. It’s 20 years ago this week since Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor of California, after the recall of former Gov. For much of the last two decades, the recall has been remembered mostly as a bizarre media circus, with 135 candidates, a hurried 60-day campaign, and a debate featuring Schwarzenegger and Arianna Huffington trading insults. …

Recall election aimed at LA prosecutor fails to make ballot
2 years, 4 months ago

Recall election aimed at LA prosecutor fails to make ballot

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — A high-profile attempt to recall a progressive district attorney in the nation’s most populous county has failed, after organizers were unable to collect sufficient, valid petition signatures to place the proposal before voters, election officials said Monday. In a region that has seen rising crime rates and brazen smash-and-grab robberies and home invasions, Los Angeles County District …

Column: California wasted $200 million on the recall. Why aren’t lawmakers fixing the process?
2 years, 6 months ago

Column: California wasted $200 million on the recall. Why aren’t lawmakers fixing the process?

LA Times  

State and local governments wasted more than $200 million on a recall election that essentially ratified the result of Gov. “Most of it, I think, is because the average legislator — and we’re the ones who are going to put this on the ballot through a constitutional amendment — isn’t going to be recalled,” said state Sen. Josh Newman, a …

Editorial: Give voters a chance to fix California’s recall system
2 years, 6 months ago

Editorial: Give voters a chance to fix California’s recall system

LA Times  

California is on the verge of losing a golden opportunity to finally fix its problematic recall rules. Among them: Raise the number of signatures needed to qualify a recall for the ballot; limit when recalls can take place so officials can’t be ousted right after an election or within six months of the end of their term; assign the lieutenant …

Editorial: Fix the biggest flaw with California’s recall or next time a loser could win
2 years, 10 months ago

Editorial: Fix the biggest flaw with California’s recall or next time a loser could win

LA Times  

Last year, 62% of voters said “no” to recalling Gov. California’s system for recalling politicians has an enormous flaw: It creates the possibility that an elected official could be thrown out of office and replaced by someone voters like even less. A recall here can be launched at any time in an official’s term, which allows voters unhappy with an …

Column: Is recall fever waning? Failure to take down Newsom reflects a broader pattern
2 years, 10 months ago

Column: Is recall fever waning? Failure to take down Newsom reflects a broader pattern

LA Times  

Gavin Newsom easily fended off a recall attempt and is now a shoo-in for reelection. And, Baldassare said, there was concern “going forward.. Are we going to live in a world in which this is our future?” It’s not hard to imagine one costly and distracting recall campaign after another, especially with the nation’s whiner in chief — that would …

California’s recall election officially ends as Newsom prepares for 2022
3 years, 2 months ago

California’s recall election officially ends as Newsom prepares for 2022

LA Times  

Gavin Newsom acknowledged that his own “personal stupidity” helped provide the political fuel to ignite the recall effort against him. Gavin Newsom were certified by state officials Friday, bringing to an end a historic and bitter recall effort while possibly boosting the Democratic governor’s chances next year at winning a second four-year term. The final election returns released by Secretary …

Column: There are some drastic ideas to overhaul California’s recall. Be careful, says one expert
3 years, 2 months ago

Column: There are some drastic ideas to overhaul California’s recall. Be careful, says one expert

LA Times  

Under California’s recall system, Democratic Gov. If there’s a big winner of California’s gubernatorial recall election, apart from the revitalized incumbent, it’s probably Joshua Spivak. Arguably the country’s foremost expert on the subject, Spivak cranked out a timely history, “Recall Elections: From Alexander Hamilton to Gavin Newsom,” and became the reigning authority on California’s madcap politics for dozens of news …

At a grim convention, California GOP seeks to regroup after bruising recall defeat
3 years, 2 months ago

At a grim convention, California GOP seeks to regroup after bruising recall defeat

LA Times  

California Republicans, stinging from their lopsided loss in this month’s recall election, sought to regroup and focus on the upcoming midterms at their party convention this weekend. “I’ve been wanting to tell people this is the ‘There’s nowhere else to go but up convention,’” said Orange County delegate and former state GOP executive director Jon Fleischman, adding that he couldn’t …

Letters to the Editor: Yes, Gov. Gray Davis’ recall in 2003 was undemocratic. Here’s how to fix it
3 years, 3 months ago

Letters to the Editor: Yes, Gov. Gray Davis’ recall in 2003 was undemocratic. Here’s how to fix it

LA Times  

Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarznegger, left, and Gov. Gray Davis, recently recalled, joke with each other in the governor’s office in Sacramento in 2003. To the editor: Yes, a governor recalled by a bare majority of votes can be replaced by someone with far fewer votes. Gray Davis lost a recall vote 55.4% to 44.7%, and Arnold Schwarzenegger succeeded him with 48.6% …

Recall vote highlights California’s geopolitical divisions
3 years, 3 months ago

Recall vote highlights California’s geopolitical divisions

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California recall election was a blowout win for Gov. Gavin Newsom that reinforced the state’s political divisions: The Democratic governor won big support in coastal areas and urban centers, while the rural north and agricultural inland, with far fewer voters, largely wanted him gone. Republicans hold just 11 of the state’s 53 U.S. House seats, but …

Democrats push for changes to California recall efforts
3 years, 3 months ago

Democrats push for changes to California recall efforts

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Those changes could include raising the standard to require wrongdoing on the part of the officeholder, increasing the number of signatures needed to force a recall election, and changing the process that could permit someone with a small percentage of votes to replace the state’s top elected official. “They’re working in opposition of the will …

Democrats could change ‘weaponized’ California recall system
3 years, 3 months ago

Democrats could change ‘weaponized’ California recall system

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Hours after California Gov. “They’re working in opposition of the will of the people when they take action like that to limit our ability to self-govern,” said Orrin Heatlie, chief proponent of the recall effort. “Are you going to go to the voters and say, ‘Well, we didn’t deal with the homeless problem but yeah, we fixed …

After recall flop, struggling California Republicans once again fighting over future
3 years, 3 months ago

After recall flop, struggling California Republicans once again fighting over future

LA Times  

The poor showing by Kevin Faulconer, former San Diego mayor, in the California recall election raises questions about his viability as a future statewide candidate. “This is a great opportunity for us to build.” The state party’s tug of war between the establishment and its grass roots predates Patterson’s tenure by decades. “The registered Republicans that are left in California …

California recall price tag could hit $300 million. Some say it was a waste of money
3 years, 3 months ago

California recall price tag could hit $300 million. Some say it was a waste of money

LA Times  

Kellie Avakian crosses her fingers but shows disappointment as election results are broadcast showing a nearly 70% vote against the recall of Gov. Times columnist Steve Lopez was more blunt, asking: “Was this the most frivolous waste of time in California election history?” How much did the 2021 recall election cost? “There’s a lot of desire, and need, for reforming …

Democrats see a midterm map in California recall success
3 years, 3 months ago

Democrats see a midterm map in California recall success

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Few Democrats were surprised to see Democratic Gov. By making the race into a referendum on former President Donald Trump and his supporters’ “extreme” resistance to coronavirus precautions, Newsom offered a formula for survival that could translate to dozens of races in next year’s midterm elections, Democrats said. California voters rejected the “Republican brand that is centered …

Dire warning from Newsom helped turn California recall tide
3 years, 3 months ago

Dire warning from Newsom helped turn California recall tide

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — An ominous four-word message issued by California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s campaign on the morning of Aug. 5 served as the shock Democrats needed to take seriously a recall election that could remove him from office: “This recall is close.” Newsom’s warning in a fundraising email came just days after a poll indicated the once-popular Democratic governor who …

California Gov. Newsom crushes Republican-led recall effort
3 years, 3 months ago

California Gov. Newsom crushes Republican-led recall effort

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Newsom cruised to victory in the recall election Tuesday, boosted by healthy turnout among …

Few voting issues reported with California recall election
3 years, 3 months ago

Few voting issues reported with California recall election

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Californians voted to keep Gov. That language was lifted from a petition circulated to help former President Donald Trump’s effort to overturn last year’s presidential election results. By Tuesday afternoon, that language was removed from the website, leaving only a form for people to report “irregularities, interference, or intimidation while voting.” A spokeswoman for Elder said the …

Gov. Gavin Newsom Prevails In California Recall Election
3 years, 3 months ago

Gov. Gavin Newsom Prevails In California Recall Election

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING California Gov. Gavin Newsom has prevailed in the state’s recall election, projections show, securing a victory in the biggest fight of his political career thus far and protecting the Democratic Party from a perilous ripple effect. “I want to focus on what we said yes to as a state,” Newsom said of the election’s results. David McNew/Getty …

EXPLAINER: How California could recall Gov. Gavin Newsom
3 years, 3 months ago

EXPLAINER: How California could recall Gov. Gavin Newsom

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — The California recall election that could remove first-term Democratic Gov. Newsom has been defending his record on the virus and warning that Republican front-runner Larry Elder, a conservative talk radio host, would undermine California’s progressive values. The complicated part: In a state with nearly 40 million people, there are many grievances, including California’s wallet-sapping taxes, rising food …

Californians vote to keep Democratic governor Gavin Newsom
3 years, 3 months ago

Californians vote to keep Democratic governor Gavin Newsom

Al Jazeera  

With more than 60 percent of the votes tallied, TV networks said Democratic governor set to prevail, with two thirds voting against recall. California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom looked set to fend off a recall effort, US television networks said, overcoming a Republican campaign to unseat him over his liberal policies on immigration, COVID-19 and crime. “I’m humbled and grateful …

Efforts To Recall Governors Are Common, But They Rarely Succeed
3 years, 3 months ago

Efforts To Recall Governors Are Common, But They Rarely Succeed

NPR  

Efforts To Recall Governors Are Common, But They Rarely Succeed Enlarge this image toggle caption Rich Pedroncelli/AP Rich Pedroncelli/AP California's Gavin Newsom can now count himself among a select group of political survivors — he's just one of two governors ever to face a recall vote and win. Even so, " have been tons of attempts to recall Governors.," wrote …

Four takeaways after California governor handily defeats recall
3 years, 3 months ago

Four takeaways after California governor handily defeats recall

Al Jazeera  

California Governor Gavin Newsom ably fended off a recall attempt from Republicans on Tuesday after changing the stakes of the contest from a referendum on his own performance and into a partisan fight over Trumpism and the coronavirus. The California recall election was the first significant US political contest of Joe Biden’s presidency and served as a stress test for …

Column: What does the only other California governor to face a recall vote — Gray Davis — have to say now?
3 years, 3 months ago

Column: What does the only other California governor to face a recall vote — Gray Davis — have to say now?

LA Times  

There’s only one other person who has been through the bizarre experience that Gavin Newsom just went through, and that’s Gray Davis. The biggest difference between them is that Davis — who served as governor of California from 1999 to 2003 — didn’t survive his recall challenge. “But Gavin, my God, he’s got so many things going on,” says Davis. …

How Newsom defeated the recall: Early leads in suburbs, overwhelming margins in big cities
3 years, 3 months ago

How Newsom defeated the recall: Early leads in suburbs, overwhelming margins in big cities

LA Times  

The movement to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom appears to have fizzled in large suburban Southern California regions and other “swing” counties, giving the incumbent a sizable cushion to defeat the effort to oust him, preliminary data show. While “no” on the recall dominated California’s more heavily populated coastal counties, “yes” carried the day in much of the state’s rural north, …

Column: With $276 million down the drain, it’s time to revamp the California recall
3 years, 3 months ago

Column: With $276 million down the drain, it’s time to revamp the California recall

LA Times  

Well, that was a complete and utter waste. California California overwhelmingly rejects recall, keeps Newsom as governor The election provided California voters an opportunity to judge Gov. Richly funded petition drives and the growth of the political-industrial outrage complex, stoked by social media and the pyromaniacs flinging matches on talk radio, have greatly enhanced the odds that partisan discontents — …

5 things to look for in California’s gubernatorial recall
3 years, 3 months ago

5 things to look for in California’s gubernatorial recall

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s recall on Tuesday will be the biggest election since Joe Biden became president, and its results may hint at the political trajectory of the country. Republicans had hoped the recall would become a referendum on California’s chronic problems with crime, energy, homelessness and high housing prices. Smith already says he thinks Democrats — bracing for a …

Biden: Results of California recall will be felt nationally
3 years, 3 months ago

Biden: Results of California recall will be felt nationally

Associated Press  

LONG BEACH, Calif. — President Joe Biden put Democrats’ approach to the coronavirus pandemic on the line Monday, casting the California recall that could remove Gov. Gavin Newsom from office as an opportunity for voters to show the nation that “leadership matters, science matters.” “The eyes of the nation are on California because the decision you’re going to make isn’t …

How The California Recall Became A Real Threat To Democratic Power
3 years, 3 months ago

How The California Recall Became A Real Threat To Democratic Power

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING If public polling is correct, California Gov. “It shows you the level of disgust at this governor.” - Eric Early, spokesperson, Recall Gavin Newsom In the months preceding the recall election, however, Newsom made errors that some critics believe speak to his flaws as a leader, and others chalk up to a deeper complacency that has set …

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s fate rests on recall vote
3 years, 3 months ago

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s fate rests on recall vote

Al Jazeera  

Results of recall vote ending on Tuesday also are likely to influence next year’s US midterm elections, experts say. Biden, who defeated Republican President Donald Trump less than a year ago, said the issues that defined the 2020 race have been resurrected in California, with potentially disastrous results if Newsom is removed in the recall vote. “The eyes of the …

Gov. Newsom Keeps His Seat As A Majority Of California Voters Reject The Recall
3 years, 3 months ago

Gov. Newsom Keeps His Seat As A Majority Of California Voters Reject The Recall

NPR  

Newsom Keeps His Seat As A Majority Of California Voters Reject The Recall Enlarge this image toggle caption Rich Pedroncelli/AP Rich Pedroncelli/AP The attempt in California to recall Democratic Gov. The "no" campaign's main points: That the recall is was a partisan attempt to seize power, initiated by right-wing Republicans, including supporters of Donald Trump, in an effort to overturn …

California overwhelmingly rejects recall, keeps Newsom as governor
3 years, 3 months ago

California overwhelmingly rejects recall, keeps Newsom as governor

LA Times  

Gavin Newsom survived a historic recall election Tuesday, winning a major vote of confidence during a COVID-19 pandemic that has shattered families and livelihoods and tested his ability to lead the state through the largest worldwide health crisis in modern times. Newsom’s campaign to defeat the recall effort began on an upbeat note, with the governor touting that California was …

EXPLAINER: How California could recall Gov. Gavin Newsom
3 years, 3 months ago

EXPLAINER: How California could recall Gov. Gavin Newsom

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — The California recall election that could remove first-term Democratic Gov. Newsom has been defending his record on the virus and warning that Republican front-runner Larry Elder, a conservative talk radio host, would undermine California’s progressive values. The complicated part: In a state with nearly 40 million people, there are many grievances, including California’s wallet-sapping taxes, rising food …

California recall comes down to Donald Trump
3 years, 3 months ago

California recall comes down to Donald Trump

Raw Story  

The absurd recall election to replace California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, is upon us. Newsom's team started off with positive ads during the summer, highlighting the positive results of the Governor's pandemic policy including one-time cash payments of $1,100 he proposed in his budget. Brownstein reports that concern is reflected in the polling: A late-August survey by the nonpartisan Public …

EXPLAINER: If Newsom recall fails, no winning candidate
3 years, 3 months ago

EXPLAINER: If Newsom recall fails, no winning candidate

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — California voters are being asked to weigh in on two questions in Tuesday’s recall election for Gov. Before Election Day, AP analysts study county-by-county election results for past races, vote-counting procedures, recount requirements and changes to state election laws, relying on information from AP’s election research group. If that trend continues, the results in the recall election could …

5 questions about California’s recall targeting Gov. Newsom
3 years, 3 months ago

5 questions about California’s recall targeting Gov. Newsom

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s recall on Tuesday will be the biggest election since Joe Biden became president, and its results may hint at the political trajectory of the country. Republicans had hoped the recall would become a referendum on California’s chronic problems with crime, energy, homelessness and high housing prices. Smith already says he thinks Democrats — bracing for a …

News Analysis: As recall campaign closes, Californians might be ready to change the system
3 years, 3 months ago

News Analysis: As recall campaign closes, Californians might be ready to change the system

LA Times  

Gavin Newsom poses for a picture with Joseph Martinez, left, and Christopher Gray at Chef Robért Catering following his campaign rally in Sun Valley on Sunday. “They don’t want anyone to take away their option of a recall election, that’s for sure,” said Mark DiCamillo, survey director for UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies. “But if it’s a serious debate …

The California Recall And Its Very Real Political Consequences, Explained
3 years, 3 months ago

The California Recall And Its Very Real Political Consequences, Explained

NPR  

The California Recall And Its Very Real Political Consequences, Explained Enlarge this image toggle caption Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Justin Sullivan/Getty Images A rare event happens Tuesday in California. Given that Democrats outnumber GOP voters by almost 5 million in California, how close Republicans get to recalling Newsom — or of course if he's recalled — is going to be something …

California's Newsom Is Only The 4th Governor To Face A Recall Vote
3 years, 3 months ago

California's Newsom Is Only The 4th Governor To Face A Recall Vote

NPR  

California's Newsom Is Only The 4th Governor To Face A Recall Vote A MARTÍNEZ, HOST: California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, will become just the fourth governor in American history to face a recall vote this week. JOSHUA SPIVAK: So they have a binary process where you vote yes or no on whether Gavin Newsom should be recalled and removed. The …

Newsom, GOP rivals seek votes in recall’s final weekend
3 years, 3 months ago

Newsom, GOP rivals seek votes in recall’s final weekend

Associated Press  

OAKLAND, Calif. — Democratic allies of California Gov. We need to send a message: Hands off our democracy, hands off our California,” said April Verrett, president of the SEIU Local 2015, as she rallied union members who have been among Newsom’s biggest supporters. Kiley and businessman John Cox, another GOP candidate, also attended anniversary events, while Newsom visited the Wall …

Recall election nears, but California’s widening, ugly political divide here to stay
3 years, 3 months ago

Recall election nears, but California’s widening, ugly political divide here to stay

LA Times  

Pardeep Takhar and her 5-year-old son Isaac Romer take a photograph with gubernatorial candidate Larry Elder as he arrived to speak to supporters during a campaign stop at Jastro Park in Bakersfield on Thursday. Newsom and what he is trying to do.” Jack Pitney, a professor of American politics at Claremont McKenna College, said a recall victory over Elder would …

Newsom, GOP rivals seek votes in recall's final weekend
3 years, 3 months ago

Newsom, GOP rivals seek votes in recall's final weekend

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Gavin Newsom continued to express confidence Saturday in his chances of beating back a …

California recall brings Harris home to support Gov. Newsom
3 years, 3 months ago

California recall brings Harris home to support Gov. Newsom

Associated Press  

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. — Vice President Kamala Harris returned to her home state of California on Wednesday to rally voters against the recall of Gov. “It is both pathetic and telling that Vice President Harris and Governor Newsom think political campaigning is a better use of time today than working to rescue the California children and families, Americans and allies …

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