Proposition 5
Changes Recall Election Process for Statewide Officers
What is it?
Prop 5 changes how California recalls a statewide officer, such as the Governor, Attorney General, or Controller.
Today, the California Constitution puts two questions on a recall ballot at once: whether to remove the officer, and who should replace them. The replacement needs only the most votes, even if that is well under half. The officer facing recall cannot run for their own seat.
Prop 5 drops the replacement race. Voters answer one question: remove the officer, yes or no. If a majority says yes, the seat is vacant and gets filled the same way as any other vacancy in that office. The recalled officer cannot be appointed back in, but can run in a later special election.
If the Governor is recalled
The Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor for the rest of the term. One exception: if the recall lands before the nomination deadline for the next statewide election in the first two years of the term, voters pick the Governor in a special election instead.
Prop 5 does not change how many signatures it takes to qualify a recall, or the deadlines for holding it.
Read the full annotated legal text →
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Fiscal impacts
Prop 5 does not spend money, raise taxes, or issue bonds. The Legislative Analyst's Office finds the net fiscal effect unknown: a recall could mean savings or costs in the millions of dollars, depending on which office is recalled and whether a separate special election is needed to fill the seat. The LAO notes these effects would be rare, since they only arise when a recall actually happens.
Why is this on the ballot?
Changing the California Constitution requires a vote of the people. The Legislature passed Senate Constitutional Amendment 1 by a two-thirds vote in both houses and placed it on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
According to Article XVIII of the California Constitution, amendments to the California Constitution initiated by the State Legislature must first be approved by a supermajority of both houses and the amendment must then be approved by voters with a simple majority of 50% + 1.
- Placed on ballot by: The California Legislature, via Senate Constitutional Amendment 1. Adopted in the Assembly on August 30, 2024, and in the Senate on August 31, 2024.
- Author: Senator Josh Newman
- Principal coauthor: Assemblymember Isaac Bryan