Recall Election Results

There will be two questions on your ballot:

1. Do you want to recall Governor Newsom (remove him from office)?
   Answer either “Yes” or “No.”
2. If the governor is recalled, who do you want to replace him?
   Choose one from the list of candidates.

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 “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.

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. If the governor is recalled, the replacement candidate who gets the most votes becomes governor. They do not need to receive a majority of votes to become governor. If you want to vote for a write-in candidate, they must be on the approved list, which will be available September 3.

Get information on the candidates on Voter's Edge California.

If the recall is successful, the replacement governor will serve through the end of the governor’s current term, which expires on January 2, 2023. The next regularly scheduled (non recall) election for governor is on November 8, 2022.

California allows recall elections, and backers of the recall gathered the required number of signatures within the specified time frame to trigger this special election.

No. There are no propositions on the ballot for the election on September 14, 2021.

Starting August 21, if you did not receive, lost, or damaged your ballot, or if you made a mistake when marking it, you can request a replacement ballot by visiting the City Hall Voting Center or by calling the SF Department of Elections at 415‑554‑4375.

Through August 30, you can easily register to vote online. You'll need:

• Your California driver license or identification card number,
• The last four digits of your social security number, and
• Your date of birth

• Ask the SF Department of Elections to mail a paper form to you by using the contact form or calling 415-554-4375
• Register in person at the City Hall Voting Center
• Pick up a voter registration form at your local post office, public library branch, or DMV office (form availability varies)

If you miss the August 30 deadline to register online or by mail, you can still vote. You'll need to register conditionally and vote provisionally in person at the  City Hall Voting Center or, on Election Day, September 14, at a local polling place.

 There will be two questions on your ballot:

1. Do you want to recall Governor Newsom (remove him from office)?   
   Answer either “Yes” or “No.”
2. If the governor is recalled, who do you want to replace him?   
   Choose one from the list of candidates.

Learn more about what’s on your ballot from these unbiased, nonpartisan resources: 

• Voter's Edge California 
• San Francisco Department of Elections
• Ballotpedia

Sign the envelope! An unsigned returned envelope is one of the main reasons ballots get rejected. Your signatures on the envelope and your voter registration record will be compared to make sure they match. The secrecy of your ballot will be protected.

Get it in on time! Mail your ballot or drop it off early and in-person at the City Hall Voting Center or a ballot drop-off station, which have red ballot boxes with the City & County of San Francisco seal and are staffed by elections workers in red vests.

No stamp, no problem! All vote-by-mail ballots come with prepaid postage envelopes.

Don’t panic! If you make a mistake filling out your ballot, ask the SF Department of Elections to send you a replacement by using the contact form or calling 415-554-4375.

San Francisco provides several other options for ballot pick up, delivery, and return so that every voter can cast their ballot safely and securely.

Starting August 16, if you’re a registered voter you may authorize a family member or housemate to pick up your vote-by-mail ballot from a voting center.

Starting August 16, registered voters can use the remote accessible vote-by-mail (AVBM) system to vote. The AVBM system allows voters to mark screen readable vote-by-mail ballots using internet-connected devices, such as computers or tablets, and is compatible with personal assistive technology, such as screen readers.

Starting July 30, San Francisco voters who are in the military or are in another country can use the remote accessible vote-by-mail (AVBM) system to vote, or they can choose to receive a ballot via email, fax, or postal mail. Check the ballot delivery method in your registration record using the San Francisco Voter Portal.

For additional assistance, contact the SF Department of Elections.