California Recall: Where To Vote In Rohnert Park And Cotati

ROHNERT PARK AND COTATI, 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 Tuesday to vote in person.

There were 304,904 people registered to vote in Sonoma County as of Aug. 30, according to the California Secretary of State's office.

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 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

Sept. 14 Election In Sonoma County

All Sonoma County voters will also decide on whether to recall District Attorney Jill Ravitch and if so, whether one of two write-in candidates should replace her — Omar Figueroa or Joe Castagnola —as no one filed to be listed on the ballot as a replacement candidate.

In addition, Sonoma County voters who reside in the City of Rohnert Park have one referendum, — Measure D — on the ballot asking if an ordinance banning the sale and use of fireworks in the City should be adopted.

Here's how you can cast your vote in Rohnert Park and Cotati.

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:

• Cotati Veterans Memorial Building, 8505 Park Ave., Cotati
• Rohnert Park-Cotati Regional Library, 6250 Lynne Condé Way, Rohnert Park
• Sonoma State University, 1801 East Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park

Click here to find more drop boxes in Rohnert Park, Cotati and across California.

Polling Places

Rohnert Park and Cotati 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 Cotati and Rohnert Park.

• Cotati Veterans Memorial Building, 8505 Park Ave., Cotati
• Burton Avenue Recreation Center, 7421 Burton Ave., Rohnert Park
• Graton Casino, 288 Golf Course Drive West, Rohnert Park
• Lady Bug Recreation Facility, 8517 Liman Way, Rohnert Park
• Rohnert Park Community Center, 5401 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park
• Rohnert Park Retirement Community, 4855 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park
• Rohnert Park Senior Center, 6800 Hunter Drive, Rohnert Park

See a map of all polling places and secure drop-boxes in Sonoma County.

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 or by calling 707-565-6800.

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:

• 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