Proposition 5: Changes Recall Election Process for Statewide Officers

Presented by Martha Zavala, LWV Los Angeles County Board Member Proposition 5 is a legislative constitutional amendment on California’s November 3, 2026 ballot. It would change how California fills vacancies when a state elected official is recalled. Under current law, recall voters answer two questions on the same ballot: whether to remove the official and who should replace that person. Proposition 5 would eliminate the replacement-candidate question from the recall ballot. If the Governor is recalled, the Lieutenant Governor would become Governor until a successor is elected or, depending on the timing of the recall, for the remainder of the term. For most other statewide offices, the vacancy would generally be filled through appointment under existing law. Legislative vacancies would generally be filled by a later special election. A recalled official could run in a subsequent special election but could not simply be appointed back to the same office. Arguments in favor: Supporters say Proposition 5 would preserve voters’ ability to recall an official while eliminating a system in which a replacement candidate can take office with less than a majority of the votes cast. They argue that choosing a replacement separately would better reflect majority rule. Arguments against: Opponents say voters should retain the ability to remove an official and choose that official’s replacement in the same election. They argue that Proposition 5 could leave some offices vacant until a later election, create additional election costs, and in some circumstances allow the recalled official to run again in a special election. The Legislative Analyst estimates that Proposition 5 could result in either savings or costs of millions of dollars when recalls occur, depending on the office involved and whether a later special election is required. A YES vote means recall elections would no longer include a question asking voters to choose the replacement. Vacancies would instead be filled through special elections or appointments, depending on the office and circumstances. A NO vote keeps the current recall process, in which voters decide both whether to remove an official and who should replace that official on the same recall ballot. For the complete nonpartisan Pros & Cons analysis from the League of Women Voters of California Education Fund: Proposition 5 — LWV California Education Fund Pros & Cons: https://cavotes.org/ballot-measure/20... For the official state voter guide: California Official Voter Information Guide — Proposition 5: https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/proposi... More information: Donate to the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/MB... League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County: https://lwvlacounty.org Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk election information: https://www.lavote.gov/home/voting-el... Vote 411: https://www.vote411.org USE OF THIS VIDEO: This presentation was produced by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County for voter education. If reproduced, shared, embedded, or rebroadcast, the video must be presented in its entirety and may not be edited, excerpted, clipped, altered, or used in a manner that could misrepresent the content or the League’s presentation. Unauthorized use of excerpts or edited portions is not approved by the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County. For permission requests, please contact the League directly.