Sept. 14 recall election fast approaching

Vote ‘NO’ to keep Newsom, ‘YES’ to recall

The fate of Gov. Gavin Newsom is in the hands of California voters this coming Tuesday during a special election that was triggered by a group of voters angry with the Democratic governor and who collected enough signatures under the state’s recall law to put the issue to voters.

All registered Mono County voters were mailed a ballot last month, as was every other registered voter in the state and Mono County residents can either return the ballot by Election Day by putting their voted ballots in special drop boxes located throughout the county, or, taking their ballot to the Elections Office, or they can vote in person (If a voter still does not have their ballot, or for more details on how to vote, see below).

The last date to register to vote in this special election was Aug. 30 but there is

line; it is Aug. 31-Sept. 14, the Mono County Election’s Office said (see below for details).

Newsom is the second governor in California history to face a recall election. Gov. Gray Davis was successfully recalled in 2003. Since 1913 there have been a total of 55 attempts to recall a governor, with only the Newsom and Davis recall efforts qualifying for the ballot.

The recall election ballot is simple but at the same time, it has generated some confusion because it includes two questions: 1) Should Gov. Gavin Newsom be recalled? and 2) Who should replace him?

The first question addresses whether the governor should be recalled. Voters can vote “YES” (he should be recalled) or “NO” (he should not be recalled) on the first question. Should 50 percent plus one of all voters voting in this election vote “NO,” as in ‘No, he should not be recalled,’ Newsom remains governor. Should 50 percent plus one of all voters vote “YES,” as in ‘Yes, he should be recalled,’ he is recalled.

The second question addresses WHO should replace Newsom IF he is recalled. The second question lists a long list of candidates (46) vying to replace Newsom IF he is recalled. Voters can choose one of these candidates, OR they can leave the second question blank.

It is important to note that a voter can answer the first question about whether to recall the governor and it will count - even if they leave the second question blank or if they select a candidate. If Newsom is recalled, the top vote getter in this huge field will replace Newsom later this fall. The first question is counted independent of how a voter answers the second, in other words. This also means a candidate could get as little as 15 percent of every vote (due to the huge number of candidates, this is possible) cast in this second question and still be able to replace Newsom.

How do you vote in Mono County?

In person: Polls open on Sept. 14 at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. There will be in-person voting on the day of the election at the Mammoth Lakes High School Library, the Walker, Crowley Lake, June Lake and Chalfant community centers, and the Bridgeport Memorial Hall. Poll workers will be following all safety guidelines for everyone’s well-being. Current Covid-19 guidelines are available by visiting https://coronavirus.monocounty.ca.gov/

By Mail: As of now, all of Mono County’s registered voters should have received their ballots in the mail, as the ballots were mailed out on Aug. 16. If voters have not received their ballot, see how to contact the Elections Office below. Ballots postmarked by Sept. 14 (Election Day) and received by the Elections Office by Sept. 21 will still be counted, the office said.

Drop Boxes: There are also secure “Drop Boxes” (the same ones used for the 2020 General Election in Mono County) located at various locations in the county (see below for where each drop box is or see the ad on p. 4 for exact locations).

Drop boxes will be locked at 8 p.m. on Election Day, Sept. 14.

When will the results be finalized? A post-election audit is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 13. The California Secretary of State will certify the election results on Oct. 22.

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE

• Locations of polling places and more voting information can be found at https:// monocounty.ca.gov/elections or for in-person help, contact the Mono County Elections Office at 760-932-5537 or 760-932-5530.

• Mono County residents are encouraged to check their registered voter information and mailing address at Voterstatus.sos.ca.gov.