RECALL ELECTION SIMPLIFIED…Just kidding, explained as simply as humanly as possible

The “simplified” part of the recall election of Gov. Gavin Newsom, slated for September 14, comes from Inyo and Mono counties’ Registrars of Voters, Danielle Sexton and Scheereen Dedman, currently the acting Clerk Recorder/Registrar.

Both Dedman and Sexton explained their respective recall election process at Tuesday’s Boards of Supervisors meetings.

The Inyo office is opting for traditional polling places rather than the voting centers established by the state’s Voter’s Choice Act. Traditional polling places are open only on Election Day. The Voting Centers come with their own guidelines, are open for 10 days prior to and on Election Day, but are not limited by jurisdiction.

Inyo opted to go the traditional route as a “cost effective measure,” Sexton explained via e-mail.

Inyo’s Vote by Mail ballot, voter instruction guide and any additional information will go out to all registered voters on August 16. Voters will have the option to vote by mail, drop off their marked ballot at the Voting Drop Boxes or in person at their regular polling places. Registered voters can also cast their ballots at their polling place on September 14, just like in the old days, but must bring in and surrender their mail-in ballot. In other words, don’t try to vote twice.

Mono County’s Dedman is going the same route, with a traditional election. “All the standard polling locations will be open on the day of the election only,” she stated. “This will ensure we won’t run short of funds and poll workers, nor will it create additional information that will further confuse voters for an unexpected election with a short turnaround time.”

Dedman admitted elections are complicated for county registrars. “Explaining the Voter’s Choice Act involves explaining a lot of elections code. We want to make it so that people can vote the way they’re used to voting.”

Replace with whom?

To make it even more interesting, the second question on the ballot will be Newsom’s potential replacement. The last recall election of a California governor was in 2003 when voters had the chance to recall Gov. Gray Davis and choose from more than 130 gubernatorial candidates. Davis was replaced by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

So far 70 candidates have filed the preliminary paperwork or indicated an intent to run in anticipation of Newsom’s recall. Here’s a sampler:

• John Cox lost to Newsom in 2018 by a 62- to 38-percent margin. He kick started his campaign against Newsom using a 1,000-pound Kodiak bear and launching a “meet the beast” bus tour.
• Caitlyn Jenner will probably be the best known candidate as a former Olympic athlete and from Keeping Up With the Kardashians. She has expressed support for former President Trump and said she wants to be a “disrupter” like he was.
• Kevin Faulconer, a former San Diego mayor and city council member
• Doug Ose, a former Republican Representative from California’s 3^rd congressional district from 1999 to 2005
• Jeff Hewitt, a Libertarian businessman and Riverside County Supervisor.
• Steve Chavez Lodge, a retired homicide detective and fiancé to a former Real Housewife of Orange County
• Kevin Paffrath vows to end California’s homelessness “in 60 days utilizing the National Guard” to build 80 emergency facilities.
• Sam Galluci, a former executive at PeopleSoft who focused on non-profit work and served as senior pastor at Embrace Church after the company sold.
• Larry Elder, a talk show host and regular on Fox News, is considering a run, according to Politico.
• Ric Grenell, appointed Acting Director of National Intelligence by former President Trump. He also served as ambassador to Germany and Special Presidential Envoy to Serbia and Kosovo Peace Negotiations during the Trump presidency.
• Angelyn, a Billboard model, describes herself as a “gorgeous blonde with big boobs.” (Note added: On her website she promises voters that they can “Rise to the occasion.”)
• Mary Carey, a former pornographic actress, is reprising her 2003 gubernatorial campaign.

And we wonder why the other 49 states make fun of California.