Voting in the September 14, 2021 Gubernatorial Recall Election

August 16, 2021 9:00 AM
by Maria Dacanay

With California’s last Recall Election taking place in 2003, the City Clerk’s Office explains how voting in a recall election works and encourages all Los Angeles County voters to #PlanYourVote at lavote.net. 

How Do I Cast a Recall Ballot? 

Your ballot will ask two questions that will each be counted separately:  

  1. Do you want to recall the Governor? (Check YES or NO) 
  2. If YES, then who do you want to replace him? 
    All qualified replacement candidates for the Office of Governor will be listed.  A Certified List of Write-in Candidates will also be available by September 3, 2021, on the Secretary of State’s website.  

If more than 50% of voters vote YES to recall the Governor, the Governor will be removed from office and the candidate with the most votes would replace him until on and continue his term until January 2, 2023.    

If a voter selects “NO” to recall the Governor, they can still vote for a replacement candidate. 

Will Voters Be Mailed a Vote-By-Mail Ballot? 

Yes, similar to the November 2020 election in LA County, all active registered voters will be mailed a Vote by Mail (VBM) ballot starting August 16.  VBM ballots may be returned early at a County VBM Drop-Box or by U.S. mail (free postage). 

Drop-boxes will be open to receive ballots from August 17 until Election Day. Drop-boxes are located at the Santa Monica Main Library, the Montana Branch Library, Virginia Avenue Park, Marine Park, and the Downtown Santa Monica Expo Station.  Ballots postmarked by Election Day and received within 7 days after the election (by September 21) will be counted.  Voters may also drop off their VBM ballot at a Vote Center. 

Remember to sign your VBM Ballot envelope and go to lavote.net to check your registration, for the County Drop-Box Locator, request a replacement ballot or track your ballot. 

Where Are Local Vote Centers? 

The following 4-Day Vote Centers will be available for in-person voting and conditional voter registration from September 11 – 13 (10 a.m. – 7 p.m.) and September 14 (7 a.m. – 8 p.m.).  

Christine Emerson Reed Park, Joslyn Hall Auditorium 

1133 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403 
Street/metered parking, metered spots along Wilshire Boulevard will be designated for “Temporary Voter Parking”. 


Santa Monica Civic Center Parking Structure, Santa Monica Institute (SMI) Training Room 
330 Olympic Dr, Santa Monica, CA 90401 
Parking entrance along Avenida Mazatlán (first 30 minutes free).  Room entrance on 2nd floor along Olympic Drive.  


Santa Monica Community College, ART 100 

1900 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica CA 90405

Parking structures available. 


Remember to follow public health and safety guidelines related to COVID-19 and go to lavote.net for the County Vote Center Locator (including live wait-times), your Quick Check-In Codes, or Interactive Sample Ballots/Poll Pass. 

Where Can I Get More Information? 

An Official State Voter Information Guide will be mailed to all voters and Frequently Asked Questions are available on the Secretary of State’s website at sos.ca.gov/elections. The LA County Registrar-Record/County Clerk’s Sample Ballot will also be mailed to voters and available online at lavote.net. 

Have any other questions about the election? Contact the Santa Monica City Clerk’s Office at clerk@santamonica.gov or (310) 458-8211. 

Authored By

Maria Dacanay
Administrative Analyst

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