California legislature considers constitutional amendment to eliminate dual question recalls for state officers

The California State Senate passed a constitutional amendment on Feb. 1 that would eliminate the successor election when a state officer is recalled, thereby leaving the office vacant until it is filled according to state law. For example, during the 2021 recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) voters were asked the following two questions:

1. Whether Gov. Newsom should be recalled?
2. If removed, who should replace him?

The amendment would also repeal the prohibition against the recalled state officer from being a candidate to fill the office at a special election. If the governor is recalled and removed from office, the amendment would authorize the lieutenant governor to fill the vacancy until the expired term. However, if the vacancy occurs before the close of the nomination period for the next statewide election during the first two years of the governor’s term, then a special election would be called and the winner would serve the remainder of the term.