What does a Recall Ballot look like?
A recall ballot has two questions: Should the Governor be recalled? and Who should the replacement be if the recall passes? You can vote for both questions.
Recall question - The first question asks should Governor Newsom be recalled. If over 50% of the votes are yes, Governor Newsom is recalled. If over 50% of the votes are no, Governor Newsom will remain in office for the remainder of his term.
Replacement candidates - Regardless of how you vote on the Recall question, you can vote for a replacement candidate. If you would like to vote for a write-in candidate, write the name in the blank box at the end of the candidate list. Certified list of write-in candidates will be available September 3, 2021, here. If Governor Newsom is recalled, the replacement candidate with the most votes will be Governor.
There are 46 replacement candidates listed on the back side of the ballot. They are listed in 3 columns. You may vote for only one replacement candidate, not one per column.
How is the September 14, 2021 Governor Recall Election Conducted?
Santa Cruz County Elections will automatically mail you a ballot by August 16, 2021. Be aware that mail can take 3 to 7 days for delivery. If you spoil your ballot, you can obtain a replacement at one of our in-person voting centers.
Information on the Proponent’s Statement, Governor’s Response, and Estimated Cost can be found here.
Replacement candidate statements are found in the Official State Voter Information Guide that is mailed by the California Secretary of State to every active registered voter household in the California or here at https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/
How to vote in the September 14, 2021 Governor Recall Election?
Due to a change in the law, every active registered voter in Santa Cruz County will receive a ballot in the mail for the September 14, 2021, California Gubernatorial Recall Election. Your ballot will be mailed by August 16, 2021.
Vote Using the Ballot
Mailed to You
|
Vote In Person
August 16, 2021 to September 10, 2021
|
Vote In Person
September 11, 2021 to September 14, 2021
|
|
1. Mark it by filling in the oval to the left of your choices. Voting is not a test; you do not have to vote on every issue.
2. Insert the completed ballot in the postage paid ballot envelope provided to you.
3. In your own handwriting, sign the ballot envelope. Print your name, address, and a way to contact you.
3. Return your ballot.
- Deliver your ballot to the Santa Cruz County Clerk/Elections office or the Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley or Watsonville City Clerk.
- Drop off your ballot at any in-person voting locations open September 11 to September 14.
- Mail your ballot, so that it is postmarked on or before Election Day, September 14.
|
You may vote early in person from August 16 to September 10 from 8am to 5pm at these locations:
- Santa Cruz County Clerk/Elections
701 Ocean Street Room 310
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-454-2060
- Watsonville City Clerk’s Office
275 Main Street Room 400
Watsonville, CA 95076
831- 768-3040
- Vote Mobile – click here for schedule
At these locations, you can:
- Obtain a replacement ballot
- Register and vote on the same day
- Vote an accessible ballot on the tablet
- Vote a Spanish ballot on the tablet
- Drop off voted ballot
- Any other voter services
Current public health protocols will be followed which may include: mask wearing, hand sanitizing, physical distancing & disinfecting services. If you are sick, please stay home.
|
Starting September 11, more voting locations are available.
You may vote in person from September 11 to September 14 at these locations in-person voting locations. Any voter can go to any location.
Each location will be open on:
- Saturday, September 11, 2021, 9am to 5pm
- Sunday, September 12, 2021, 9am to 5pm
- Monday, September 13, 2021, 8am to 5pm
- Tuesday, September 14, 2021, 7am to 8pm
At these locations, you can:
- Obtain a replacement ballot
- Register and vote on the same day
- Vote an accessible ballot on the tablet
- Vote a Spanish ballot on the tablet
- Drop off voted ballot
- Any other voter services
Current public health protocols will be followed which may include: mask wearing, hand sanitizing, physical distancing & disinfecting services. If you are sick, please stay home.
|
Where can I get more information?
Quick Calendar
|
July 1 – July 6, 2021
|
Signature in Lieu filing period.
|
|
July 9 – July 16, 2021
|
Candidate Nomination Period.
|
|
July 16, 2021
|
Deadline for candidates to file tax returns with the Secretary of State.
|
|
July 16, 2021
|
Deadline for submitting Candidate Statement of Qualifications to the Secretary of State (optional).
|
|
July 19 – August 31, 2021
|
Write-In candidacy period.
|
|
July 21, 2021
|
Certified list of candidates.
|
|
July 31, 2021
|
Last day to mail ballots to military and overseas voters.
|
|
August 16, 2021
|
First day to mail ballots to vote-by-mail voters.
|
|
August 30, 2021
|
Last day to register to vote for September 14, 2021 election.
|
|
Aug 31 – Sept 14, 2021
|
For those who missed the deadline to register, they can still register and vote at the county elections office or designated location.
|
|
Sept 11 and 12, 2021
|
Weekend voting – Locations will be open from 9am to 5pm for voting. Locations will be posted by August 16.
|
|
September 14, 2021
|
Election Day – polls open at 7am and close at 8pm.
|
|
September 21, 2021
|
E+7 – VBM ballots postmarked on or before Election Day and received by September 21 will be counted.
|
|
October 12, 2021
|
E+26 – last day to cure an unsigned signature on VBM envelope.
|