Simple, Easy Facts on California’s Gubernatorial Recall Election

Do you want to remove or recall Governor Gavin Newsom from office?

Who should succeed Gavin Newsom as Governor?

So a quick Yes or No vote.

Vote for a Replacement 

Then we have the option to vote for one of about 46 candidates who are on the ballot. (List of official candidates. https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/statewide-elections/2021-recall/certified-list.pdf)

And even if you vote “No” on the recall, you can still vote for a candidate, just in case. 

And there is a blank space if you wish to write in a name.

You don’t even have to vote in person. You can vote by mail, drop the ballot off at several Vote Centers. Easy Peazy.

Simple. Sure. 

Lose Your Apathy

Why is it that many qualified voters in California are not interested in voting?

Is it too simple for people? Too easy?

I despair! I can imagine how Newsom feels.

Research and Polls

Here is what is going on.

The Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS) at The University of California, Berkeley Polls show that Governor Newsom could easily keep his job if most registered voters in California Vote. 

Apparently, at this point, that looks like it’s not going to happen. 

The IGS Poll says, “Gubernatorial recall election much closer among voters considered most likely to participate than among the overall electorate.” https://escholarship.org/uc/item/27x9k5qt

Just Vote People

Experts say Republicans are all fired up and ready to vote. Democrats–Newsom supporters. Not so much. 

Now, we are seeing these headlines like this one in The Guardian, “Apathetic Voters could hand California Recall to Republicans.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/aug/25/california-governor-recall-gavin-newsom-larry-elder

California History on Recalls

Since 1913, there have been 179 recall attempts of state elected officials in California. https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/recalls/recall-history-california-1913-present

Only six lost their jobs.  

Only one governor. 

In 2003 Governor Gray Davis, a Democrat, was recalled and replaced by muscle-man Arnold Schwarzenegger, a republican. 

I remember his famous sound bite, “I’m going to blow up the Boxes!” Schwarzenegger promised to bring change to Sacramento. 

He failed. 

I was managing news editor at ABC Sacramento, and I still can’t tell you why this happened. It was ridiculous—a waste of time and money.

Here we go Again

The people who gathered signatures and launched the Recall Governor Newsom effort have a number of serious complaints about our state leader.

You can check them out at Recall Gavin 2020 https://recallgavin2020.com/.

The Governor’s supporters have fought back with Stop The Republican Recall https://stoptherepublicanrecall.com/.

If I were voting on websites, I’d give the Democrats an 8 out of 10 and the Republicans a 4 out of 10. 

I like the use of video at the top of the Dems homepage.

The GOP uses a static shot of the California Brown Bear, looking angry, paw raised, ready to deal a deadly blow.

It could happen. 

Recalls are for Losers

Finally, I must be honest. I don’t believe in recalls. Sore losers launch them. And we have an abundance of sore losers in this country. 

Sore losers are petty and unattractive.

But I believe in Democracy. And Elections. And Voting.

And now we are back to why people don’t vote.

Enough is Enough

Here is a shortlist of why people are dissatisfied. 

    The Bully President,

    The Insurrection, 

     COVID, 

     The Delta Variant.

Many people have just had enough. 

That’s why many good people are burned out and just don’t want to engage.

Get the Hell Up People

Now there is this Recall. 

And it is time to “Buck Up.” Get off the sofa people and engage. Vote.

Money Honey

It is costing California taxpayers $276 million. 

That estimate is from the California Secretary of State’s office. The price tag could go much higher.

https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/voter-info/

That’s our money. And some people aren’t going to vote.

So I’m, producing a series of short videos and post one each day to remind people to vote. And to remind them how important every vote is. 

I will post all these videos on my home page.

In the meantime, if you are a California voter, Vote! 

If you need to register, you can do that through August 30. 

I’m Gloria Moraga, all opinions are mine. This is my Blog. 

And talk to each other about the Recall: One-On-One.