California voters are being asked two questions on the recall ballot: whether they want to keep or remove Gov. Gavin Newsom, and which of 46 candidates should replace him if the recall is successful.
Elections officials say voters can fill out or skip either question, and their vote will still count. The embattled Democratic governor has urged his supporters to leave the second question blank.
The second question also includes a write-in space, which some voters are eyeing and wondering whether they can write in Newsom’s name. According to the Secretary of State’s office, writing in the governor’s name on the second question won’t help him.
“As the subject of the recall cannot be a candidate, a write-in vote for Newsom would not be counted,” a spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s office said in an email. “Only certified write-in candidates are counted.”
State law prohibits the subject of a recall — like Newsom — from being listed on the second half of the ballot at all. It states: “No person whose recall is being sought may be a candidate to succeed himself or herself at a recall election.”
A list of certified write-in candidates will be available on Sept. 3. Election day for the recall is Sept. 14.
Find more information on the recall and the ballot in our 2021 Recall Voter Guide.
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