California voters overhaul recall elections, pass Democratic-backed Prop. 5

A Gavin Newsom supporter holds up a sign against the recall at a campaign event at the IBEW-NECA training center in San Leandro on Sept.

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8, 2021.

California will change its election recall process after voters approved Proposition 5, a ballot measure backed by Democrats who argued the process was too open to partisan exploitation.

The recall process will now take place in two parts: Voters will first decide in an election whether an official should be removed from office.

If successful, they’ll vote again in a follow-up election on who should replace the recalled official.

About 52% of voters approved the measure and 48% were against it with about 91% of the vote counted Thursday, 9 days after Election Day.

Democratic lawmakers placed the constitutional amendment on the ballot in 2024, arguing the current system leads to unnecessary state expense, confuses voters, and can lead to ‘undemocratic’ outcomes, since the winner does not need a majority to win.

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Under the previous system, voters were asked both questions at the same time.