Thus, if enough signatures are certified for the recall of the governor by September 3, 2003, a special election must be called for a date in the fall of 2003. If signatures for a recall election are certified after that date, the election would be consolidated with the March 2, 2004 statewide primary election. Accounting for the time required for the certification process, recall proponents believe they must turn in signatures by July 16, 2003 to ensure a fall 2003 special election.
Before 1994, the only question at the recall election was whether the official should be recalled; if the recall was approved by a majority of the voters, a subsequent election was held to elect a successor. However, in November 1994 the law was amended to consolidate those two elections. Now the question of the recall and a list of candidates to succeed the official appear on the same ballot.
Candidates must file nomination papers and a declaration of candidacy 59 days prior to the election. For governor, a filing fee of $3,500 and 65 valid signatures of registered voters of the same party as the candidate are required. Candidates not affiliated with a party may submit 65 valid signatures of registered voters of any party affiliation. Candidates may apply for a fee waver by submitting additional signatures.
If the recall succeeds, the candidate with the largest number of votes is elected to the office and takes office the following day.There are no party primaries to select candidates, and no provision for a runoff if no candidate receives a majority of the vote. There is no limit on the number of candidates who can run. If there are a number of candidates running, the winner could be elected with a relatively low percentage of the vote.The proponents' statement of reasons for recall and the response, if any, filed by the official whose recall is sought are printed on the recall petitions and on the sample ballots mailed to voters.
According to a Fair Political Practices Commission fact sheet, the recall part of the election would be classified as a ballot measure, for which there are no contribution limits under the state Political Reform Act. Thus, the contribution limits of Proposition 34 would not apply either to the proponents of the recall measure or to the elected official who is the target of the recall. However, Proposition 34 contribution limits would apply to the campaigns of the candidates running to succeed the recalled official. As with other elections in California, all candidates and campaign committees have reporting and disclosure obligations under the Political Reform Act.
If a special statewide recall election is called, the cost to taxpayers is estimated at $25-35 million. If the elected official is not recalled, his or her campaign expenses are reimbursed by the state. This potential cost to taxpayers is unknown.
