California Recall: Ballot Drop Off, Polling Places In Dana Point

DANA POINT, CA — The Golden State's upcoming recall election could oust first-term Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom from office. Ballots have already arrived in mailboxes across the state, but Californians will have an opportunity to vote in person on Sept. 14.

There were 1,968,358 people registered to vote in Orange County as of Aug. 30, according to the California Secretary of State's office. Those who haven't registered to vote can do so here.
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.

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.
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.

SEE ALSO: CA Recall Latest: How It Works And Who's Running

Here's how you can cast your vote in Dana Point and Laguna Niguel.

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.

• Dana Point Branch Library, 33841 Niguel Rd.
• Laguna Niguel Library, 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy.
• Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink Station, 28200 Forbes Rd.
• Orange County Fire Station 49, 31461 Golden Lantern

Polling Places

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 Dana Point.

• Laguna Niguel City Hall, 30111 Crown Valley Pkwy.
• Sea Country Senior and Community Center, 24602 Aliso Creek Rd.
• Dana Point Community Center, 34052 Del Obispo St.

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 or by calling 510-272-6973.

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 California's gubernatorial recall election:

• Larry Elder Ignites Voter Fraud Initiative Ahead Of Election

• CA Recall Candidate Profile: Meet Heather Collins
• Could The Republican Recall Candidates Create A Housing Boom Through Environmental Reform?
• Police Scramble To Find Larry Elder Egger
• California Recall Candidates Stretch The Truth On COVID, Climate Change And More
• Larry Elder Egged As Hostile Crowd Chases Him From Venice Stop
• Meet John Cox: California Recall Candidate Profile
• Meet Kevin Paffrath: California Recall Candidate Profile
• California Recall Fueled By A Dinner, A Ruling On Same Day
• Inside Larry Elder's Focus On Race