The number of signatures needed to hold a referendum on the dismissal of the governor of California, Democrat Gavin Newsom, has been reached, local authorities said Monday (April 26th).
Like twenty other American states, California allows voters to organize a “Recall ballot” to replace the governor. For this, they need to collect the signatures of at least 12% of voters in the previous election, in this case nearly 1.5 million.
A precedent remains in all memories: it is thanks to a similar referendum that the actor Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected in 2003 as head of the most populous state in the United States on behalf of the Republican Party.
According to the latest report released by California election officials, the petition has garnered more than 1.62 million valid signatures. Supported by the Republican Party and supporters of former President Donald Trump, the initiative was launched last year and has been fueled by discontent over the handling of the pandemic and the containment measures decreed by Mr Newsom, including the closure of small businesses.
Able to keep his position
Voters now have thirty working days to request the withdrawal of their name from this revocation procedure. If at the end of this period, the required number of signatures is still met – which is likely – California will have to hold a referendum to ask voters in the state if they want to replace Gavin Newsom and if so, by who.
Many candidates have already expressed their interest, such as businessman John Cox, who was beaten in 2018 by Mr. Newson, but also Caitlyn Jenner, transgender icon and member of the Kardashian clan. The reality TV star, also an Olympic medalist at the 1976 Olympics, announced last week that he had taken the first steps in this direction.
Considered a longtime Republican, Caitlyn Jenner refrains from mentioning any political affiliation at this stage. She had supported Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election but said she regretted her decision two years later, believing that the transgender community was “Continuously attacked” by the conservative president.
Polls and experts estimate that Gavin Newsom, 53, whose term began in 2019, should be able to keep his post, as California voters overwhelmingly voted for the Democratic camp in the last election. If he escapes revocation, he will be able to stand for re-election in 2022.
Elected by universal suffrage, the governors are the chief executive officers in the American states. They have significant budgetary powers, as well as over local legislation.