California Voters Will Decide Recall Reform in 2026
Proposition 5 will appear on the November 3, 2026, general election ballot to reform the state recall process.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Should California change its recall election process to separate removal from replacement votes?
California voters will decide on Proposition 5 during the November 3, 2026, general election. This measure proposes changes to the state recall process by separating the vote on whether to remove an official from the selection of their replacement.
Why it matters
The proposal seeks to prevent replacement candidates from winning office with low vote percentages and aims to reduce the financial costs associated with recall elections, which reached over $200 million during the 2021 effort against Governor Gavin Newsom.
A September poll from the Public Policy Institute of California shows 59% of likely voters oppose the measure, while 35% favor it. The recall system has existed in California for over 100 years.
The players
Gavin Newsom
He is the current Governor of California who faced a recall effort in 2021.
Josh Newman
He is a state senator who was recalled from his Orange County district in 2018 before winning reelection in 2020.
The details
Under the current system, voters decide on the removal and replacement of officials in the same election. Proposition 5 would instead fill legislative vacancies through subsequent special elections, while other statewide vacancies would be filled by gubernatorial appointment under existing procedures.
Timeline
The recall process has been used in California for over 100 years.
Arnold Schwarzenegger replaced Governor Gray Davis in 2003.
Senator Josh Newman was recalled from office in 2018.
Senator Josh Newman won reelection in 2020.
California voters will decide on Proposition 5 on November 3, 2026.
Political Context
Opponents of the measure may argue that separating removal from replacement undermines the current mechanism for immediate accountability. Proponents of the status quo emphasize that the century-old system provides a swift, direct path for voters to remove and immediately replace officials.
If passed, the measure would change how voters participate in recall elections by splitting the process into two separate decisions. This would fundamentally alter the outcome of future recalls, ensuring that replacement candidates cannot take office with only a small plurality of the vote.
The takeaway
California voters have a significant choice to make regarding the future of direct democracy in the state. Understanding the difference between the current recall procedure and the proposed reform is essential for informed participation in the 2026 election.
Further reading
Find more information on upcoming measures and state voting processes at the California Elections page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
Live Poll
Should California change its recall election process to separate removal from replacement votes?
