How a Recall Could Spell Trouble for Gavin Newsom

Cal Matters: “A run-of-the-mill election for state office in California follows a predictable two-step. First, every candidate crowds onto a single ballot and voters cast their ballots for whomever they like — regardless of party. Next, the top two winners from the first round go head-to-head in a second and final contest.”

“That ‘top-two’ set-up ensures that the candidate who wins will have received more than 50% of the vote. The will of the majority rules, guaranteed.”

“Recall elections offer no such guarantee. Voters are first asked whether they would like to give the incumbent the boot. Then, in a second question, they are asked who ought to be the replacement. Under California law, incumbents can’t run to replace themselves. (So Governor Newsom is not on the ‘replacement’ ballot).”

“If more than 50% of voters opt for a ‘yes’ on the recall question, whoever comes first on the replacement list is immediately hired as the state’s next chief executive.”