Prop 5 Recall Reform, California 2026: Who's Paying and Why

On the November 3 Ballot

Prop 5: Recall Reform

Separate election to replace a recalled official

Why it's on your ballot The Legislature passed it, but the law requires voters to approve it. It changes the state constitution, which only voters can do.⁶ The rule: Cal. Constitution, Art. XVIII, §§ 1, 4. Amendments the Legislature proposes must be approved by a majority of voters.⁷

History In 2003, Gov. Gray Davis was recalled and replaced on the same ballot by Arnold Schwarzenegger. A 2021 attempt to recall Gov. Newsom failed.^8,9

A YES vote means: Recall ballots would no longer ask who should replace the official. The seat would be filled later by a special election or appointment.⁶
A NO vote means: Voters would still choose a replacement on the same ballot as the recall.⁶

Yes side $0 No side $0 Who gains, who pays

Who it helps if it passes

Voters who want a replacement chosen in a separate election rather than on the recall ballot

Who pays or loses if it passes

Candidates hoping to take office the same day an official is recalled
Taxpayers, for an extra election after a successful recall

What the funders get No campaign on either side has raised $1 million.¹

Cost to taxpayers Unknown. Each recall could save or cost millions of dollars, depending on the office.⁶

Ends the single recall ballot that asks both whether to remove an official and who should replace them. A replacement would be chosen in a later election, and the recalled official could run in it.⁶

If a governor were recalled, the lieutenant governor would serve until the new election. Under current rules, a replacement can win with a small plurality on the same ballot.⁶

YES side special interest: None

✗ One funder dominates: No major funders¹
✗ Funders profit: No major funders¹
✗ Narrow benefit: Applies to every recall election¹
✗ Outside money: No major funders¹

NO side special interest: None

✗ One funder dominates: No major funders¹
✗ Funders profit: No major funders¹
✗ Narrow benefit: No major funders¹
✗ Outside money: No major funders¹

Endorsed by

California Common Cause
League of Women Voters
Indivisible CA: StateStrong
California Democratic Party

Opposed by

Funding the YES campaign

No committee has raised $1M or more. That is the state's threshold for reporting top donors.

Funding the NO campaign

No committee has raised $1M or more. That is the state's threshold for reporting top donors.

Sources for this measure: ^1,6,8,10