Politics & Government

California Recall: Where To Vote In Carlsbad

The gubernatorial recall election that will decide Gov. Gavin Newsom's fate arrives Tuesday. Here's how to find a polling place near you.

Carlsbad residents can vote on election day or choose to vote in person early.
Carlsbad residents can vote on election day or choose to vote in person early. (Renee Schiavone/Patch)

CARLSBAD, CA — A gubernatorial recall election could unseat first-term Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom this week. Ballots have already arrived in mailboxes across the state, but Californians will have an opportunity to vote in person on Tuesday.

There were 1,970,788 people registered to vote in San Diego County as of Aug. 30, according to the California Secretary of State's office. The deadline to register online for this election has passed but Californians can still register in person at a polling place on the day of the election.

Ballots include 46 candidates who are vying for Newsom's job, including 24 Republicans, nine Democrats and 13 others. But voters should know that former GOP Rep. Doug Ose withdrew his bid for governor last month after having a heart attack.

Find out what's happening in Carlsbadfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The state Republican Party last month decided not to endorse a candidate, but conservative talk show host Larry Elder has become the party’s front-runner, leading polls for months.

In a recent poll from UC Berkeley, Elder was the clear leading choice for people planning to vote for a recall candidate in the election, with a 28 percent point lead over the next closest candidate.

Find out what's happening in Carlsbadfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Democrats have stood behind Newsom throughout the entirety of the intensifying recall effort. On Monday, the governor was set to join President Joe Biden in Long Beach for a final rally against what they’ve referred to as a Republican recall effort.

On the ballot, voters will be asked two things: First, whether Newsom should be recalled, and second, who should replace him if he’s recalled. If more than 50 percent of voters cast a ballot to recall Newsom, the replacement candidate with the largest share of votes will win the governor's seat.

Democrats are pleading with voters to leave question two — where voters can select a replacement candidate — blank amid a lawsuit and allegations that California's recall process is flawed. Read more about that here.


Also see: CA Recall Latest: How It Works And Who's Running


Here's how you can cast your vote in Carlsbad.

Ballot Drop Boxes

Every registered voter in California received a recall election ballot this month, and there are plenty of ballot drop boxes throughout the county in which to deposit them.

Here are some drop boxes near you:

  • Carlsbad City Library: 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad
  • Carlsbad City Library Learning Center: 3368 Eureka Place, Carlsbad
  • Georgina Cole Library: 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad
  • La Costa Oaks Community Association: 7400 Circulo Sequoia, Carlsbad
  • The Landings at Carlsbad: 2198 Palomar Airport Road, Suite 100, Carlsbad
  • Carlsbad High School Gym: 3557 Monroe St., Carlsbad
  • Jefferson Elementary School Auditorium: 3743 Jefferson St., Carlsbad
  • Carrillo Elementary School Multipurpose Room: 2875 Poinsettia Lane, Carlsbad
  • El Camino Creek School Auditorium: 7885 Paseo Aliso, Carlsbad
  • La Costa Canyon High School Administration Conference Room: 1 Maverick Way, Carlsbad
  • La Costa Meadows School Cafeteria: 6889 El Fuerte St., Carlsbad
  • Pacific Rim Elementary School Auditorium: 1100 Camino De Las Ondas, Carlsbad
  • Hope Elementary School Media Center: 3010 Tamarack Ave., Carlsbad
  • Aviara Oaks Elem School Auditorium: 6900 Ambrosia Lane, Carlsbad

Click here to find more drop boxes near Carlsbad and across California.

Polling Places

Carlsbad residents can vote on election day or choose to vote in person early. In-person voting locations will offer same-day voter registration, replacement ballots, accessible voting machines and language assistance for those who need it.

Voting locations are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day at the following locations in Carlsbad:

  • Carlsbad High School Gym: 3557 Monroe St., Carlsbad
  • Jefferson Elementary School Auditorium: 3743 Jefferson St., Carlsbad
  • Carrillo Elementary School Multipurpose Room: 2875 Poinsettia Lane, Carlsbad
  • El Camino Creek School Auditorium: 7885 Paseo Aliso, Carlsbad
  • La Costa Canyon High School Administration Conference Room: 1 Maverick Way, Carlsbad
  • La Costa Meadows School Cafeteria: 6889 El Fuerte St., Carlsbad
  • Pacific Rim Elementary School Auditorium: 1100 Camino De Las Ondas, Carlsbad
  • Hope Elementary School Media Center: 3010 Tamarack Ave., Carlsbad
  • Aviara Oaks Elem School Auditorium: 6900 Ambrosia Lane, Carlsbad

Click here to find more area polling places across California.


Ready to cast your vote? Don't forget that the state allows you to sign up to track your ballot throughout the process. Have any questions? Learn more about the recall election at the county website.


What's A Recall?

California has had recall elections as part of its political system since 1911. The process allows the public to attempt to remove an elected public official from office before the end of his or her term. Before a recall election can be initiated, a certain number of voters must sign a recall petition within a specified amount of time.

The state has had 54 previous attempts to recall California governors. Only one governor was recalled in California's history: Gray Davis in 2003.

Newsom has pushed back against the effort to unseat him, painting the campaign as one backed by extremists, supporters of former President Donald Trump and those against the coronavirus vaccines.

"This is — and forgive me — a Republican-backed recall where the principal proponent of the recall effort wants to microchip immigrants," Newsom has said. "These folks don't believe in science let alone climate science, and they don't believe in the science behind this pandemic. There's a lot at stake for Californians in this race."


Read more about the gubernatorial recall election:

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