California Recall: Ballot Drop Off, Polling Places In Oceanside

OCEANSIDE, 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 nearly 2 million people registered to vote in San Diego County as of July 16, 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 week after having a heart attack.

The state Republican Party earlier this month decided not to endorse a candidate after party delegates agreed that rallying behind a particular front-runner could alienate voters who are passionate about a particular candidate.

For Democrats, the election so far has been plagued by voter apathy, which could rattle Newsom's stability in power, according to recent polls. A staggering 40 percent of likely voters were undecided on who should replace Newsom, according to a recent poll from the University of California, Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies.

On the recall ballot, voters will be asked whether Newsom should be recalled and who should replace him. 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: 2021 RECALL VOTER GUIDE FROM CALMATTERS

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

After you have clearly marked your ballot, signed and dated the return envelope and sealed your voted ballot in the postage-paid return envelope, here are the options for returning your mail ballot.

Mail Drop-Off

Return your ballot by mail promptly so it is received well before Election Day.

• Find a U.S. Postal Service Collection Box (Blue Box) near you. Click here »

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.

• Oceanside Public Library 330 N Coast Hwy Oceanside 92054
• Oceanside Public Library Mission Branch 3861-B Mission Ave Oceanside 92058
• King of Kings Lutheran Church 2993 Mac Donald St Oceanside 92054
• Dog Dayz of California 1995 Peacock Blvd Oceanside 92056

Polling Places

Oceanside residents can vote on Election Day or choose to vote in person early. In-person Voting Locations will be open across the county for four days, Saturday, September 11 – Tuesday, September 14.

In-person voting locations will offer same-day voter registration, replacement ballots, accessible voting machines and language assistance for those who need it.

Avoid lines and vote early:

At the Registrar’s office beginning August 16, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
At a voting location near you or the Registrar’s office Saturday, September 11 through Monday, September 13, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All will again be open on Election Day when the voting hours will change to 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Here are in-person voting locations throughout Oceanside:

• Lincoln Middle School‐MPR 2000 California St Oceanside 92054
• Oceanside Country Club Senior Center‐MPR 455 Country Club Ln Oceanside 92054
• Oceanside High Sch ‐ Perf Arts Ctr Lobby 1 Pirates Cv Oceanside 92054
• El Corazon Senior Center ‐ Classrooms 3302 Senior Center Dr Oceanside 92056
• Mira Costa Comm Coll ‐ Bldg T200 1 Barnard Dr, Lot 2A Oceanside 92056
• Temple Heights Elem School‐MPR 1550 Temple Heights Dr Oceanside 92056
• Cesar Chavez Middle School‐MPR 202 Oleander Dr Oceanside 92057
• Del Rio Elementary School‐MPR 5200 North River Rd Oceanside 92057
• Libby Elementary School‐Rooms 5/6 423 W Redondo Dr Oceanside 92057
• Roosevelt Middle School‐MPR 850 Sagewood Dr Oceanside 92057

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 SD County website.

Nearly 90% of San Diego County eligible voters are registered. Making it one of the highest voter participation counties in California. In terms of party affiliation numbers here is the Voter Registration Report as of July 16, 2021 for San Diego County.

Eligible Voters = 2,192,385
Total Registered = 1,959,529 (89.38%)
Democratic = 798,808 (40.77%)
Republican = 533,428 (27.22%)
American Independent = 73,036 (3.73%)
Green = 7,178 (0.37%)
Libertarian = 22,560 (1.15%)
Peace and Freedom = 8,402 (0.43%)
Unknown = 10,157 (0.52%)
Other = 8,272 (0.42%)
No Party Preference = 497,688 (25.4%)

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 California's gubernatorial recall election:

• Recall Candidate Doug Ose Exits Recall Race After Heart Attack
• Larry Elder Faces Claims Of Abuse, Financial Misrepresentation
• CA Recall: Newsom Lambasts Elder On Campaign Trail
• Lawsuit Argues California Recall Is Unconstitutional
• California Republicans Skip Recall Candidate Endorsement
• CA Recall Election: Who Is Running?
• Newsom Recall Election Officially Happening: What To Know
• A Serious Man: Can Kevin Faulconer Run For Governor Without The Gimmicks?
• Follow The Money: Gavin Newsom Recall Edition
• Total Recall: An Illustrated Guide To The Newsom Recall

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