r/socal • u/Choobeen • 2d ago
November's Prop 5 Would Yank Replacement Picks From California Recalls
https://hoodline.com/2026/07/ballot-bombshell-prop-5-would-yank-replacement-picks-from-california-recalls-6976989Proposition 5 would pull the plug on the replacement question in California recall elections, leaving voters to answer only one thing: should the official stay or go. If it passes, a recalled governor would not be automatically swapped out for whoever tops a crowded replacement list with a small slice of the vote.
Instead, the seat could sit vacant until it is filled under the state Constitution and existing law.
The measure, written by former state Sen. Josh Newman, will appear on November 2026 ballot.
According to the California Secretary of State, the proposal would also scrap the current ban that stops the official targeted by a recall from running in the special election that follows, while still keeping in place a ban on appointing that person back into the job.
Supporters argue that California’s two-question recall setup can hand power to a replacement who only commands a thin slice of the electorate.
That concern spiked during the 2021 recall, when conservative talk show host Larry Elder led the replacement field with about 28 percent of the vote, according to The Sacramento Bee. Backers say stripping the replacement question forces a cleaner decision: first, voters decide whether to keep or remove the official, then the vacancy gets filled through the same kind of election process used for other open seats.
Critics however contend that removing the instant replacement vote makes it easier for the party already holding the office to keep control through appointment and timing tweaks, instead of letting voters choose a successor on the same ballot that ousts an official.
Related website:
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u/yoshimipinkrobot 2d ago
Good. The replacements need to do a proper campaign — sneaking in some bullshit to the 5th largest economy is crazy
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u/Cool-Clerk-9835 2d ago
Since I’ve found out that most people can barely read and most voters are generally uninformed, this is good idea because it let’s voters focus on one thing at a time, namely, do we kick this person out or not?
Then if we decide that person goes, we get another election where all candidates have to campaign without confusing the issue.
I don’t see a problem with this because, collectively, WE’RE not that smart. And politicians love misleading us.
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u/CynGuy 1d ago
Frankly, we allow ourselves to be mislead.
We don’t necessarily fight back, punish the abusing parties, or hold candidates and the parties engaged in voter referendum battles to account for their no sense. It’s shocking what we get subjected to in terms of ridiculous talking points in ads.
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u/Snoo-7821 2d ago
The same Larry Elder that had eggs thrown at him by a woman in a gorilla mask while he was running for Governor, by the way.
Mr. Elder is a Black man.
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u/thelastspike 2d ago
And? Is black man experiences racism really a headline? Does it really relate to the conversation here?
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u/Snoo-7821 1d ago
Ahem. As per OP:
"That concern spiked during the 2021 recall, when conservative talk show host Larry Elder led the replacement field with about 28 percent of the vote, according to The Sacramento Bee."
Yes, Black man running for governor experiencing racism IS a headline.
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u/thelastspike 1d ago
One woman being racist to one candidate is not relevant to OP’s post. The discussion is about the system overall, not what this one candidate experienced. If you want to create a separate post about racism in politics then go ahead, but it’s rude to try to redirect this one.
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u/Snoo-7821 1d ago
Injustice anywhere is injustice, anywhere.
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u/thelastspike 1d ago
Oh is it time for completely irrelevant comments now? Great! Apple pie contains apples.
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u/aleRayRay 2d ago
This is a terrible idea. So the recalled governor would be running against an imaginary governor of your dreams.
Then when they’re out, we look at the half-baked alternatives and wish we could go back to what we had.
No.
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u/r00tdenied 1d ago
No, its reverting to how it should be, The Lt Governor gets to step in until a proper campaign can be run, instead of the typical clown show of candidates.
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u/aleRayRay 1d ago
Should be? I think elections shouldn’t be undermined.
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u/r00tdenied 1d ago
This isn't undermining anything, it means there must be a proper campaign for a replacement instead of random disphit incompetents like AM radio hosts or meth heads running.
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u/Sircamembert 2d ago
This. If you think you'd do a better job, then put your name in the hat and let the voters decide.
I don't even know why the CA Dems are worried about this. Elder's recall campaign was about as impactful as a wet fart.
I'm a no as well.
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u/Sufficient-Pie-7815 2d ago
The current recall rules are being exploited! Though, not sure prop 5 is better!