California Eliminate State Officer Recall Successor Elections Amendment (2026)

California Eliminate Successor Election at a State Officer Recall Election Amendment
Election date November 3, 2026
Topic Recall process
Status On the ballot
Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment	Origin State legislature

The California Eliminate State Officer Recall Successor Elections Amendment is on the ballot in California as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 3, 2026.

A "yes" vote supports amending the state constitution to: eliminate the election to elect a successor when a state officer is recalled, thereby leaving the office vacant until it is filled according to state law; allow the recalled officer to run again for the same office at the special election, if one is held; and authorize the lieutenant governor to fill the gubernatorial vacancy until the expired term, unless the vacancy occurred before the close of the nomination period for the next statewide election during the first two years of the governor’s term, then a special election would be called and the winner would serve the remainder of the term.

A "no" vote opposes this amendment, thereby maintaining the requirement that a simultaneous election to fill the statewide office vacancy be held at the time of the recall election.

Overview

How would the amendment change the recall process of state officers?

See also: Text of measure

The amendment would change the process for recalling state officers by eliminating the election to pick a successor at the time of the recall election and providing that any vacancies due to a successful recall be filled according to the state constitution and state law. The amendment would also allow the recalled officer to run again for the same office at the special election, if one is held, but the measure would prohibit the recalled officer from being appointed to fill the vacancy.

The amendment would also provide that the lieutenant governor serves as governor for the remainder of the recalled governor's term unless the governor is recalled before the nominating deadline for the next statewide election during the first two years of the governor's term, then a special election would be conducted at the next statewide election. The candidate receiving a majority of votes would serve the remainder of the governor's term. If no candidate receives a majority, the top-two candidates would participate in a runoff election at the subsequent statewide election, and the winner would serve for the remainder of the term.

If the governor or secretary of state are recalled, the amendment would provide that the secretary of state or controller would perform the recall duties for the respective offices.

How does the recall process in California compare to other states?

See also: Laws governing recall

Thirty-nine states allow recalls of public officials at the local level. Nineteen of those also allow recalls of state officials. Eleven states do not allow recalls of public officials. To see a map with the status of recall by state, click here.

Across the states, there are four general methods used to choose a successor for a position as a result of a recall election—simultaneous election, separate special election, appointment, and automatic replacement. California currently uses the simultaneous election process, which is also used by Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Nevada, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Who supports and opposes the amendment?

See also: Support and Opposition

The amendment received support from Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis (D), Secretary of State Shirley Weber (D), California Common Cause, and League of Women Voters of California during the legislative process. State Sen. Josh Newman (D-29) and Asm. Isaac Bryan (D-55), the sponsors of the amendment, said, "The system in its current form offers bad actors an incentive to target an elected official with whom they disagree and to have the official replaced by someone who otherwise would not enjoy the support of a majority of voters. SCA 1 will ensure that statewide and legislative recalls in California are democratic, fair, and not subject to political gamesmanship."

Election Integrity Project California, Inc. opposed the amendment during the legislative process. In submitted testimony, they said, "On the rare occasion when a recall of a sitting state Governor is qualified, it is the people's right not only to vote to oust the person in question, but to choose a replacement… The Lieutenant Governor is almost always on the same partisan and ideological 'page' as the Governor, and as such would be just as unacceptable to the citizenry as the person they are 'firing.' The proposal of SCA 1 that the Lieutenant Governor simply assume the governorship in the event of a successful recall would make a gubernatorial recall effort a 'frying pan vs the fire' situation, and monumentally suppress not only the people's right to self-govern but their eagerness to participate in government at all. Every step should be taken to encourage full participation of all eligible voters in making the decisions and choices that affect their lives and keep our Republic not only strong but also responsive to its constituents. SCA 1 is definitely a step in the wrong direction."

Text of measure

Constitutional changes

See also: Article II, California Constitution and Article V, California Constitution

The ballot measure would amend Sections 15 and 17 of Article II and Section 10 of Article V of the California Constitution. The following underlined text would be added and struck-through text would be deleted:

Note: Hover over the text and scroll to see the full text.

Article II, Section 15:

(a) An election to determine whether to recall an officer and, if appropriate, to elect a successor shall be called by the Governor and held not less than 60 days nor more than 80 days from the date of certification of sufficient signatures.

(b) A recall election may be conducted within 180 days from the date of certification of sufficient signatures in order that the election may be consolidated with the next regularly scheduled election occurring wholly or partially within the same jurisdiction in which the recall election is held, if the number of voters eligible to vote at that next regularly scheduled election equal at least 50 percent of all the voters eligible to vote at the recall election.

(c) If the majority vote on the question is to recall, the officer is removed and, if there is a candidate, the candidate who receives a plurality is the successor. The officer may not be a candidate, nor shall there be any candidacy for an office filled pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 16 of Article VI.

(a) An election to determine whether to recall an officer shall be called by the Governor and held not less than 60 days nor more than 80 days from the date of certification of sufficient signatures.

(b) A recall election may be conducted within 180 days from the date of certification of sufficient signatures in order that the election may be consolidated with the next regularly scheduled election occurring wholly or partially within the same jurisdiction in which the recall election is held, if the number of voters eligible to vote at that next regularly scheduled election equal at least 50 percent of all the voters eligible to vote at the recall election.

(c) If the majority vote on the question is to recall, the officer is removed and the office shall be vacant. The vacancy shall be filled in accordance with this Constitution and statute, provided that the officer who was the subject of the recall election shall not be appointed to fill the vacancy in that office.

Section 17:

If recall of the Governor or Secretary of State is initiated, the recall duties of that office shall be performed by the Lieutenant Governor or Controller, respectively.

If recall of the Governor or Secretary of State is initiated, the recall duties of that office shall be performed by the Secretary of State or Controller, respectively. If recalls of the Governor and Secretary of State are initiated at the same time, the recall duties of both offices shall be performed by the Controller.

Article V, Section 10:

The Lieutenant Governor shall become Governor when a vacancy occurs in the office of Governor.

The Lieutenant Governor shall act as Governor during the impeachment, absence from the State, or other temporary disability of the Governor or of a Governor-elect who fails to take office.

The Legislature shall provide an order of precedence after the Lieutenant Governor for succession to the office of Governor and for the temporary exercise of the Governor's functions.

The Supreme Court has exclusive jurisdiction to determine all questions arising under this section.

Standing to raise questions of vacancy or temporary disability is vested exclusively in a body provided by statute.

(a) The Lieutenant Governor shall become Governor when a vacancy occurs in the office of Governor.

(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 15 of Article II, if the Governor is removed from office by recall, the Lieutenant Governor shall become Governor for the remainder of the unexpired term. If the Governor is removed from office by recall before the close of the nomination period for the next statewide election during the first two years of the Governor’s term, a special election shall be called to replace the Governor and shall be consolidated with the statewide primary election and, if necessary, the subsequent statewide general election. If a candidate receives a majority of the votes in the special election that is consolidated with the statewide primary election, that candidate shall become Governor for the remainder of the unexpired term. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes, the top two vote-getters shall compete in a special election consolidated with the subsequent statewide general election, and the winner of that election shall become Governor for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(c) The Lieutenant Governor shall act as Governor during the impeachment, absence from the State, or other temporary disability of the Governor or of a Governor-elect who fails to take office.

(d) The Legislature shall provide an order of precedence after the Lieutenant Governor for succession to the office of Governor and for the temporary exercise of the Governor’s functions.

(e) The Supreme Court has exclusive jurisdiction to determine all questions arising under this section.

(f) Standing to raise questions of vacancy or temporary disability is vested exclusively in a body provided by statute.

Support

Ballotpedia has not located a campaign in support of the ballot measure. You can share campaign information or arguments, along with source links for this information, with us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

Supporters

Officials

• State Sen. Josh Newman (D)
• State Asm. Isaac Bryan (D)
• Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis (D)
• Secretary of State Shirley Weber (D)

Organizations

• California Common Cause
• League of Women Voters of California

Arguments

• League of Women Voters of California and California Common Cause: "Under current law, an off cycle special election may be held for a recall, in which voters are presented with two questions - whether an officer should be recalled and who should replace the officeholder. While the first question requires a majority vote to remove the elected official, the second question allows a replacement candidate to be chosen by a slim plurality. Our state's most important leaders can therefore be picked at low turnout elections with non-representative electorates, and replacements can be put into office with low plurality support, rather than a majority of voters in the election. Furthermore, voters have expressed deep confusion as to whether they are permitted to vote for a replacement candidate if they vote 'no' on the first question. The perplexing system can cause people to refrain from answering the second question, thereby disenfranchising voters, and contributing to an undervote for replacement candidates…SCA 1…would retain access to the recall, but in a way that should ensure recall outcomes are democratic and broadly supported and will help to eliminate recalls that are frivolous or degrade democratic legitimacy."
• State Sen. Josh Newman (D-29) and Asm. Isaac Bryan (D-55): "The system in its current form offers bad actors an incentive to target an elected official with whom they disagree and to have the official replaced by someone who otherwise would not enjoy the support of a majority of voters. SCA 1 will ensure that statewide and legislative recalls in California are democratic, fair, and not subject to political gamesmanship."

Opposition

Ballotpedia has not located a campaign in opposition to the ballot measure. You can share campaign information or arguments, along with source links for this information, with us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

Opponents

Organizations

• Election Integrity Project California, Inc.

Arguments

• Election Integrity Project California, Inc.: "On the rare occasion when a recall of a sitting state Governor is qualified, it is the people's right not only to vote to oust the person in question, but to choose a replacement… The Lieutenant Governor is almost always on the same partisan and ideological 'page' as the Governor, and as such would be just as unacceptable to the citizenry as the person they are 'firing.' The proposal of SCA 1 that the Lieutenant Governor simply assume the governorship in the event of a successful recall would make a gubernatorial recall effort a 'frying pan vs the fire' situation, and monumentally suppress not only the people's right to self-govern but their eagerness to participate in government at all. Every step should be taken to encourage full participation of all eligible voters in making the decisions and choices that affect their lives and keep our Republic not only strong but also responsive to its constituents. SCA 1 is definitely a step in the wrong direction."

Campaign finance

See also: Campaign finance requirements for California ballot measures

The campaign finance information on this page reflects the most recent scheduled reports that Ballotpedia has processed, which covered through September 8, 2025. The deadline for the next scheduled reports is February 2, 2026.

Ballotpedia has not identified any committees registered in support of or opposition to the amendment.

	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions	Cash Expenditures	Total Expenditures
Support	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Oppose	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Total	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

Background

Laws governing recall in California

See also: Laws governing recall in California and Article 2, Sections 13-19 of the California Constitution

California voters approved an amendment in 1911 authorizing the recall process in the state constitution. It was approved with 76.8% of the vote.

For recall of state officials, proponents must file a notice-of-intent-to-recall petition signed by 50 registered voters or by a number of registered voters "equal to five times the number of signatures required to have been filed on the nomination paper of the officer sought to be recalled, whichever is higher."

For the actual petition, signatures must equal a percentage of the total number of votes most recently cast for the targeted office—12% for executive officials and 20% for state legislators and judges. In addition, the petition must include signatures from each of at least five counties equal in number to 1% of the last vote for the office in that county.

For state-level offices, California uses a replacement question on the recall ballot to determine who will take office if a majority of voters cast ballots in favor of the recall. The official against whom the recall is sought cannot submit himself or herself as a possible replacement candidate.

Candidates filing for the replacement question must submit the standard nomination papers and a declaration of candidacy at least 59 days before the date of the recall election.

Ballot measures related to recall in California

California voters have decided on four ballot measures related to the recall process. Three were approved, and one was defeated.

Year	Ballot measure	Summary	Outcome
1911	Proposition 8	Create a process to recall elected officials	a
1915	Proposition 3	Establish a 12-year term length for superior judges and declaring them subject to recall, impeachment, and removal	d
1974	Proposition 9	Clarify the laws surrounding the recall of elected officials and make all local officials' offices subject to recall	a
1994	Proposition 183	Change laws governing recall elections, thereby allowing a recall election to be held within 180 days of the certification of signatures rather than current law, which provided a recall election to be held between 60 and 80 days after signature certification	a

State official recall elections in California

According to the California Secretary of State, since 1913, there have been 179 recall attempts of state elected officials in California, with 11 qualifying for the ballot. A complete list of all state recall attempts in California is available here. The list of the qualified recalls and the outcomes are listed below:

Year	Officer	Outcome
1913	Senator Marshall Black (R)	Recalled
1913	Senator Edwin E. Grant (D)	Recalled
1914	Senator James C. Owens (D)	Unsuccessful
1994	Senator David Roberti (D)	Unsuccessful
1994	Assemblymember Michael Machado (D)	Unsuccessful
1994	Assemblymember Paul Horcher (R)	Recalled
1995	Assemblymember Doris Allen (R)	Recalled
2003	Gov. Gray Davis (D)	Recalled
2007	Senator Jeffrey Denham (R)	Unsuccessful
2018	Senator Josh Newman (D)	Recalled
2021	Gov. Gavin Newsom (D)	Unsuccessful

Gubernatorial recalls in California

There have been 56 attempts to recall a governor since California adopted the process in 1911. The only successful effort was in 2003 when voters recalled then-Gov. Gray Davis (D). Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) was elected as Davis' replacement.

The last gubernatorial recall election in California was on September 14, 2021, when voters decided to retain Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) by a vote of 61.9% to 38.1%. Voters had to decide two questions: whether Newsom should be recalled and, if so, who should replace him. A majority vote was required on the first question for the governor to be recalled. If Newsom had been recalled, the candidate with the most votes on the second question would have won the election, no majority required. Forty-six candidates, including nine Democrats and 24 Republicans, ran in the election as possible successors to Newsom.

States with recall process

Thirty-nine states allow recalls of public officials at the local level. Nineteen of those also allow recalls of state officials. Eleven states do not allow recalls of public officials. The map below shows which states allow recalls and whether they allow the recall of both state and local officials or only local officials.

Choosing a successor by state

There are four general methods used to choose a successor for a position as a result of a recall election:

• Simultaneous election—the (potential) successor is chosen on the same ballot
• Separate special election—the successor is chosen in a special election following the recall election
• Appointment—the successor is appointed
• Automatic replacement—the successor is determined by the legal line of succession

The type of process used varies by state and office. A list of how each state with a recall process chooses successors is available here.

Path to the ballot

See also: Amending the California Constitution

A two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session for the California State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 54 votes in the California State Assembly and 27 votes in the California State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

This amendment was introduced as Senate Constitutional Amendment 1 on January 30, 2023. On February 1, 2024, the state Senate passed SCA 1 in a vote of 31-7. The state Assembly passed an amended version of SCA 1 on August 30, 2024 by a vote of 59-17. The Senate concurred with the amendments on August 31 by a vote of 32-8.

Vote in the California House of Representatives August 30, 2024
Requirement: Two-thirds (66.67 percent) vote of all members in each chamber
Number of yes votes required: 54  a
	Yes	No	Not voting
Total	59	17	3
Total percent	74.68%	21.52%	3.80%
Democrat	59	0	3
Republican	0	17	0

Vote in the California State Senate August 31, 2024
Requirement: Two-thirds (66.67 percent) vote of all members in each chamber
Number of yes votes required: 27  a
	Yes	No	Not voting
Total	32	8	0
Total percent	80.00%	20.00%	0.00%
Democrat	31	1	0
Republican	1	7	0

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in California

See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in California.

How to vote in California

Poll times

All polls in California are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.

Registration

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in California, an individual must be a U.S. citizen and California resident. A voter must be at least 18 years of age on Election Day. Pre-registration is available at 16 years of age. Pre-registered voters are automatically registered to vote when they turn 18.

Automatic registration

California automatically registers eligible individuals to vote when they complete a driver's license, identification (ID) card, or change of address transaction through the Department of Motor Vehicles. Learn more by visiting this website.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

California has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

California allows same-day voter registration.

Californians must be registered to vote at least 15 days before Election Day. If the registration deadline has passed for an upcoming election, voters may visit a location designated by their county elections official during the 14 days prior to, and including Election Day to conditionally register to vote and vote a provisional ballot, which are counted once county election officials have completed the voter registration verification process. The state refers to this process as Same Day Voter Registration.

Residency requirements

To register to vote in California, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

California's constitution requires that voters be U.S. citizens. When registering to vote, proof of citizenship is not required. Individuals who become U.S. citizens less than 15 days before an election must bring proof of citizenship to their county elections office to register to vote in that election. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.

As of November 2024, two jurisdictions in California had authorized noncitizen residents to vote for local board of education positions through local ballot measures. Only one of those jurisdictions, San Francisco, had implemented that law. Noncitizens voting for board of education positions must register to vote using a separate application from the state voter registration application.

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The secretary of state's My Voter Status website allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

California does not require voters to present identification before casting a ballot in most cases. However, some voters may be asked to show a form of identification when voting if they are voting for the first time after registering to vote by mail and did not provide a driver license number, California identification number, or the last four digits of their social security number. On September 29, 2024, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed SB 1174 into law prohibiting any jurisdiction in the state from adopting a local law that requires voters to present ID before voting.

The following list of accepted ID was current as of October 2024. Click here for the California Secretary of State page to ensure you have the most current information.

“

Current and valid photo identification provided by a third party in the ordinary course of business that includes the name and photograph of the individual presenting it. Examples of photo identification include, but are not limited to, the following documents: driver's license or identification card of any state; passport; employee identification card; identification card provided by a commercial establishment; credit or debit card; military identification card; student identification card; health club identification card; insurance plan identification card; or public housing identification card. Any of the following documents, provided that the document includes the name and address of the individual presenting it, and is dated since the date of the last general election…: utility bill; bank statement; government check; government paycheck; document issued by a governmental agency; sample ballot or other official elections document issued by a governmental, agency dated for the election in which the individual is providing it as proof, of residency or identity; voter notification card issued by a governmental agency; public housing identification card issued by a governmental agency; lease or rental statement or agreement issued by a governmental agency; student identification card issued by a governmental agency; tuition statement or bill issued by a governmental agency; insurance plan card or drug discount card issued by a governmental agency; discharge certificates, pardons, or other official documents issued to the individual by a governmental agency in connection with the resolution of a criminal case, indictment, sentence, or other matter; public transportation authority senior citizen and disabled discount cards issued by a governmental agency; identification documents issued by governmental disability agencies; identification documents issued by government homeless shelters and other government temporary or transitional facilities; drug prescription issued by a government doctor or other governmental health care provider; (R) property tax statement issued by a governmental agency; vehicle registration issued by a governmental agency; or vehicle certificate of ownership issued by a governmental agency.

”

See also

2026 ballot measures

View other measures certified for the 2026 ballot across the U.S. and in California.

• 2026 ballot measures
• California 2026 ballot measures
• California elections, 2026

California ballot measures

Explore California's ballot measure history, including constitutional amendments.

• List of California ballot measures
• California Historical Ballot Measures Factbook
• Recall process ballot measures
• California State Legislature

Legislative process

Understand how measures are placed on the ballot and the rules that apply.

• Legislatively referred constitutional amendment
• California Constitution
• Amending state constitutions

External links

• Full text

Footnotes

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