Click HERE for a short video about the Recall -- created for LWVPA by a local student!

Vote by September 14, 2021
in ​California's Gubernatorial Recall Election

What’s on the ballot on Tuesday, September 14, 2021?  
There will be two questions on the ballot that every eligible Californian can vote on: 
1. Do you want to recall the governor (remove him from office)?
  • A "NO" vote means you want Governor Newsom to remain in office.
  • A "YES" vote means you want to remove Governor Newsom from office.
2. If the governor is recalled, who do you want to replace him?
What does my vote mean?
A “No” vote means you want Governor Newsom to remain in office.
  • If more than 50% of voters say “No” to the first question, Governor Newsom will remain in office.
A “Yes” vote means you want Governor Newsom to be recalled (removed from office).
  • If more than 50% of voters say “Yes” to the first question, the person who gets the most votes on the second question becomes the governor. 
  • A replacement candidate does NOT need more than 50% of the votes to win, they simply need more votes than any of the other candidates.​

If I vote “No” on the question to recall the governor, should I vote for a replacement candidate?
  • No matter whether you vote “Yes” or “No” on the recall, you can still vote for a replacement candidate. If the governor is recalled (removed), your vote for the replacement candidate will be counted. 
  • You can answer just the first or second question, or both. It’s your choice. 

Where can I learn about the candidates running in the recall?
Get information on the candidates on Voter's Edge California or in the CA Secretary of State's Voter Guide.

Can you point me to a more thorough educational resource about the Recall?  
Watch a video of the recent webinar put on by LWV of Southwest Santa Clara County featuring Ann Ravel and the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, Shannon Bushey. Slide deck here.

How do I vote in the Recall Election?
  • ​Every registered voter in California will receive a ballot in the mail.
    • ​Ballots will be mailed beginning August 16th.
    • Register to Vote at registertovote.ca.gov. 
    • Don’t know if you’re registered to vote? Visit voterstatus.sos.ca.gov to check your registration status or register to vote. 
  • The deadline to register to receive a mail-in ballot for the Recall Election is Monday, August 30, 2021. BUT you can visit a vote center at any time up to and including September 14th to register and vote on the same day.

What do I do with my ballot?
There are 3 ways to vote:
  1. VOTE BY MAIL: You can fill in your ballot and mail it back as soon as you receive it. No stamp? No problem. Mail your ballot back early because it must be postmarked by Election Day, Tuesday, September 14.
  2. DROP OFF YOUR BALLOT:  You can drop off your ballot at any Vote Center or at any secure drop box in Santa Clara County. If you decide to drop off your ballot, you must drop it off no later than 8PM on Election Day, September 14.
  3. VOTE IN PERSON at a Vote Center. In Santa Clara County you can vote at any Vote Center in the County. Early voting, starting before Election Day, will be available starting September 4th in some locations and September 11th in other locations. At in-person voting locations you can:
  • Vote in person.
  • Get a replacement ballot if you made a mistake, lost your ballot, or never received one.​
  • Drop off your completed ballot.
  • Vote with an accessible voting machine.
  • Get help and voting materials in multiple languages.​

Where are the Vote Centers and Dropboxes in Palo Alto and what are their dates/hours of operation?
    24-hour Official Ballot Dropboxes in Palo Alto, available August 16 through September 14 at 8 p.m.
  • Palo Alto City Hall – Outside City Clerk's Office, 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
  • Palo Alto High School, 50 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301
  • Mitchell Park Library, 3700 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303
  • Rinconada Branch Library, 1213 Newell Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303
  • Note that Palo Alto voters can also drop their ballots at any other official dropbox in Santa Clara County.
    Vote Centers in Palo Alto: 
  • Cubberley Community Center - Gym A4000 Middlefield RdPalo Alto, CA 94303
    • Open 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM September 4 - September 13, 2021 
    • Open 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Election Day, September 14, 2021 
  • Note that Palo Alto citizens can also use any other Vote Center in the County.

Where can I find information about the Recall in languages other than English?  
Between August 9 and August 31, the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters is hosting information sessions about the Recall in fourteen different languages. 
Voting >>
​Voter Information 
Register to Vote
Voter Education
​The Recall: Essential Info
The Recall: How to Help Get out the Vote
​Volunteer
​Youth Vote Team
Your Elected Officials