RECALL EFFORT EDGES CLOSER TO TRIGGERING VOTE IN CALIF.

An effort to trigger a recall election to remove California Gov. Gavin Newsom from office could qualify for the statewide ballot before next month’s deadline, according to a report released Friday by state elections officials.

The report shows almost 1.2 million voter signatures on recall petitions had been validated as of last week — just shy of the roughly 1.5 million signatures needed to qualify the recall measure. An additional 380,000 signatures had been received by elections officials but not yet reviewed.

But backers of the recall effort say they have since submitted even more petitions, bringing the total to some 2.1 million signatures. Though elections officials have until April 29 to complete their review, the new report issued by Secretary of State Shirley Weber shows signatures being reviewed at a rate that could reach the needed threshold early next month.

Newsom, who took office more than two years ago, said this past week that he believes the recall measure will qualify. The election, in which voters would be asked whether to remove the governor and who on a list of candidates would replace him, could be held this year.

“Governor Newsom has finally realized that, you know, this is a viable threat to his political future,” Orrin Heatlie, a Republican activist from Sacramento County and the recall’s official proponent, said during an online event Wednesday night.

If it qualifies, the recall would be only the second against a California governor. In 2003, thengov. Gray Davis was removed by voters in a special election and replaced by Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger.