Guidance on Voting in California's Gubernatorial Recall Election

You may have heard about the California Recall Election that will be taking place on Tuesday, September 14th, 2021 — we’re providing a non-partisan, non-political resource guide below to help answer questions you may have about registering for and voting in the recall election.

Some say voting is a privilege, others would call it a duty — your mileage may vary, but there is no denying that voting is a right. If you possess that right, only you can choose to exercise it.

The nature of our democracy is such that voting is one of the key ways in which you can make your voice heard, by determining who represents you, your community, and ultimately the country. Though the system is far from perfect, it is the broadest avenue for citizens from all walks of life to have a say in the direction of their state and their nation.

The California Gubernatorial Recall Election is on Tuesday, September 14th. California is doing its best to ensure that everyone is able to vote as easily as possible, most importantly by sending a vote-by-mail ballot to all registered voters prior to the election. All you will have to do is fill out that ballot and either mail it back or take it to one of several ballot drop boxes situated around each county. By doing this, you’ll be able to make sure your vote is counted without having to go to the polls at all! You will also be able to vote in person at designated polling locations, but you should be prepared for longer wait times because of COVID-19 safety protocols.

The most important thing you need to do right now is make sure that (if eligible) you are registered to vote. You can check your voter status here, and if you’re not already registered, you can easily do that online here. The deadline for registering to vote before the September 14th recall election is August 30th, but vote-by-mail ballots are being sent out now — you should register as soon as possible to increase the chance you get your ballot by mail. You’ll still be able to vote as long as you’re registered by August 30th, though it may need to be in-person. Though not preferable, you should be able to register in-person on the day of the election if necessary.

 
 

The FAQ below includes additional information on the logistics of this year’s election process, including relevant links. In a state as large as ours it can be hard to make your voice heard, and we sincerely hope that everyone who is able — regardless of your beliefs or politics — makes the most of this opportunity!  

Voting FAQ

Am I able to vote?

To vote in the September 14, 2021 Recall Election, you must be:

  1. A United States citizen and a resident of California;

  2. 18 years of age or older as of September 14, 2021;

  3. Not currently serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony; and

  4. Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court.

How do I register to vote?

If you are not sure if you are already registered, you can check your status here. Note that at the top of the page there is an option to change the language of the form.

If you are already registered and your mailing address is correct, you don’t need to do anything else — all registered voters will be mailed a ballot prior to the election, which they can fill out and return by mail or drop-off.

If you are not registered, you should use this site to register. Again, note that you can change the language of the site to one of your choosing.

When you register, make sure to provide — when requested — your driver license number, your California identification number, or the last four digits of your social security number in order to ensure that your ballot is counted (if you don’t have the ability to do this, you should be able to send in photocopies of identifying materials with your ballot, but the former will be a better option).

When is the registration deadline?

August 30th for online registration, but vote-by-mail ballots are being sent out now, so you should consider registering as soon as possible.

If you miss the deadline for any reason, you can also register in person on election day, but pre-registration is the preferable alternative. 

How do I request a vote-by-mail ballot?

Vote-by-mail ballots will be sent to all registered voters in California, so you do not have to specifically request one.

When should I expect to receive my vote-by-mail ballot?

Ballots are currently being mailed to registered voters. 

How do I submit my vote-by-mail ballot?

Once you have completed your vote-by-mail ballot, you have four options for returning it for counting:

  • Mail it back to the county elections official — your ballot will include a prepaid return envelope. Your ballot must be postmarked by Tuesday, September 14th and received by Tuesday, September 21st.

  • Return your ballot in person to a polling place or the office of your county elections official. This must be done before the polls close at 8:00pm on Tuesday, September 14th.

  • Drop your ballot into one of your county’s ballot drop boxes. This must be done before the polls close at 8:00pm on Tuesday, September 14th.

  • Authorize someone to return your ballot on your behalf. This should be someone you know and trust, and you should not pay them to do so. In order for your ballot to be counted, you must fill out the authorization section found on the outside of the envelope. This must be done before the polls close at 8:00pm on Tuesday, September 14th.

How do I track my vote-by-mail ballot to make sure it’s received?

You’ll be able to track your ballot via the state’s Where’s My Ballot online platform. 

Can I just go to the polls on September 14th?

Yes, polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on September 14th. However, due to the possibility that there will still be health and safety restrictions in place due to COVID-19, it is reasonable to assume longer than normal wait times on Election Day. Both to avoid that possibility and to reduce the number of people congregating at polling places, taking advantage of the vote-by-mail opportunity may be the best option available.

What will be on the ballot on September 14th?

The Recall Election ballot will have two parts. First, 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. A replacement candidate’s political party preference will be included on the ballot along with their occupation, if that information was provided.

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 (ending January 2, 2023). If one-half or more of the votes on the recall question are “No,” Governor Newsom shall remain in office.

Voters can vote on either one or both parts of the recall ballot. A voter can vote “no” to the question of removing the current elected officer from office and also select a replacement candidate. 

If I don’t vote, is that the same as saying Gavin Newsom shouldn’t be recalled?

No. If you don’t vote in this election, you will not have a say in whether or not Gavin Newsom is recalled. He will be recalled if the majority of ballots submitted say “Yes, he should be removed.” If this happens, he will be replaced by the candidate who received the highest number of votes on the ballot.

How do I get more information about the recall and the candidates?

Once you’re registered, you should receive a voter information guide in the mail. That guide is also available online in both English and Spanish.

 Online resources will also be available. We recommend checking the following sites for additional information:

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