Theoretically, what would happen to the recall election if Newsom resigned before it would happen?

[Woody]

Kounalakis becomes governor... then what? Does the recall election become void?

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Lol this is Cali, and has endorsed D State Legislature, they are returning favor by endorsing him, but if he loses many of them will run a jungled primary next March

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

It'd probably invalidate the election, but perhaps some court would rule that if the recall passes, Kounalakis  must return to being Lt Governor.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Won't happen and the Election is Sept 14

[Sir Mohamed]

I asked this some months ago; my understanding is that the recall would become obsolete at the moment he resigns. This recall I might say. To oust Kounalakis, the entire process would have to start all over again. That said, collecting enough signatures and go through the validation process and so on for another recall would hardly be possible anymore as the 2022 election is approaching and time running out.

The political optics of the move would be bad for sure, and Newsom is not likely to lose the recall anyway. Perhaps Gray Davis should be considered resigning in 2003 (though Bustamente wouldn't have been an improvement). Theoretically Newsom could resign, Kounalakis appoint him lt. gov. before she resigns and he again renominates her for said post. The optics would be horrible though. All that said, I wish we'd get rid of the recall provision at all. And I'm not saying this as Dem partisan; if a GOP gov was elected in a regular election, he shouldn't be recalled either. Only justified impeachment should force someone out ahead of time.

[NewYorkExpress]

Republicans would almost certainly try to recall Kounalakis (though they might wait and see if she's still Governor after the 2022 elections).

If Kounalakis loses in 2022, they'll try to recall whoever the incumbent is, assuming that person isn't a Republican (it almost certainly won't be).

[Alben Barkley]

I asked this some months ago; my understanding is that the recall would become obsolete at the moment he resigns. This recall I might say. To oust Kounalakis, the entire process would have to start all over again. That said, collecting enough signatures and go through the validation process and so on for another recall would hardly be possible anymore as the 2022 election is approaching and time running out.

The political optics of the move would be bad for sure, and Newsom is not likely to lose the recall anyway. Perhaps Gray Davis should be considered resigning in 2003 (though Bustamente wouldn't have been an improvement). Theoretically Newsom could resign, Kounalakis appoint him lt. gov. before she resigns and he again renominates her for said post. The optics would be horrible though. All that said, I wish we'd get rid of the recall provision at all. And I'm not saying this as Dem partisan; if a GOP gov was elected in a regular election, he shouldn't be recalled either. Only justified impeachment should force someone out ahead of time.

I keep saying, California has TOO MUCH democracy. You all vote on EVERYTHING, even stuff people really have no business voting on and/or that is just disruptive and annoying (and bad policy) rather than helpful. All these recalls, referendums, etc. it’s just too much.

[Progressive Pessimist]

I asked this some months ago; my understanding is that the recall would become obsolete at the moment he resigns. This recall I might say. To oust Kounalakis, the entire process would have to start all over again. That said, collecting enough signatures and go through the validation process and so on for another recall would hardly be possible anymore as the 2022 election is approaching and time running out.

The political optics of the move would be bad for sure, and Newsom is not likely to lose the recall anyway. Perhaps Gray Davis should be considered resigning in 2003 (though Bustamente wouldn't have been an improvement). Theoretically Newsom could resign, Kounalakis appoint him lt. gov. before she resigns and he again renominates her for said post. The optics would be horrible though. All that said, I wish we'd get rid of the recall provision at all. And I'm not saying this as Dem partisan; if a GOP gov was elected in a regular election, he shouldn't be recalled either. Only justified impeachment should force someone out ahead of time.

I keep saying, California has TOO MUCH democracy. You all vote on EVERYTHING, even stuff people really have no business voting on and/or that is just disruptive and annoying (and bad policy) rather than helpful. All these recalls, referendums, etc. it’s just too much.

On the surface "too much democracy" sounds like a bad thing to criticize a polity for, but there is a reason why we're a republic instead. We elect people to consider decisions on the behalf of those they represent, because most of a population naturally doesn't understand (or want to in some cases) major policy issues. Brexit or Prop 8 ought to have taught that lesson better than anything.

[Rjjr77]

I believe, by technicality of the election law (and I might be wrong) the election would immediately cease

[AndyHogan14]

My understanding would be that the recall election would not go forward. My question, however, is what would happen if Newsom resigns after election day but before it is certified. Say that it is pretty clear that he is going to lose in the evening of September 14 and he resigns on September 15, making Kounalakis governor. The recall election was against Governor Newsom, not theoretical Governor Kounalakis—does the recall go away in that case as well?

[brucejoel99]

My understanding would be that the recall election would not go forward. My question, however, is what would happen if Newsom resigns after election day but before it is certified. Say that it is pretty clear that he is going to lose in the evening of September 14 and he resigns on September 15, making Kounalakis governor. The recall election was against Governor Newsom, not theoretical Governor Kounalakis—does the recall go away in that case as well?

Pre-certification's a grey area: maybe that'd work, but maybe judges rule against since the election had already been held.