(Above, Inset l-r): Dr. Shirley Nash Weber, California Secretary of State; Dr. Raphael Sonenshein, Executive Director of the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, Cal State Los Angeles. (EMS)

Governor Gavin Newsom and the state of California are facing a historic recall election as ballots start coming in. Here is a breakdown of how to navigate through the ballot for the election on September 14.

Judgment day is fast arriving as we are in the final days of the California Gubernatorial Recall Election. Californians will decide whether Gavin Newsom continues as their leader or not.

The ballot will consist of two questions that will be independently counted:

  1. Do you want to recall Governor Gavin Newsom?
  2. Who do you want to replace the governor?

The first question is a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’. If one plus 50% of voters respond ‘yes’ to recalling Governor Gavin Newsom, then the second question is counted. Among the list of 40+ candidates, the candidate that obtains a simple majority from the second question wins the election.

To make it clearer, voting ‘no’ would support Governor Gavin Newsom while voting ‘yes’ would be recalling Governor Gavin Newsom.

Ballots are already coming in and the final day to submit all the ballots will be September 14.

Dr. Shirley Nash Weber, California Secretary of State, and Dr. Raphael Sonenshein, Executive Director of the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, Cal State Los Angeles, assert the importance of the first question. Both define the first question as the “history-maker.” According to Dr. Weber, “Whatever you do, be sure you vote for number one because that really starts whether there’s going to be a recall or not.”

Secondly, both figures urge everyone to vote in this election as turnout will be one of the strongest determinants for California’s future leadership. Highlighting the importance of participation, Sonenshein says, “You know what this is about? Who sent their ballot in!”

Californians, exercise your right to vote because this election matters!