In the coming days, every voter in California will have the opportunity to decide whether or not to recall Governor Gavin Newsom as well as who would replace him in office.
California law sets an unusually low bar for recalling a governor: signatures from just 12% of the total of voters from the previous gubernatorial race are all it takes to trigger a recall. And in the case of the Newsom recall – which out lawmakers call “an especially grave threat to our LGBTQ+ community” – a judge extended the amount of time signature gatherers were able to identify supporters due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Dozens of California’s LGBTQ elected officials are urging voters to vote against the recall by the September 14 cutoff. Among them are California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara – the first out LGBTQ statewide elected official in the state – as well as Palm Springs City Council Member Lisa Middleton, the first out trans city council member in state history.
Some LGBTQ leaders are directly organizing voters through events and volunteer shifts.
🚨 30 days to VOTE NO and #StopTheRepublicanRecall. 🛑 Proud to join my friends @BettyYeeforCA, @MitchOFarrell, @HildaSolis, @Jackie4LAkids & @EAPDLA at a rally in support of California’s most pro-equality governor in history @GavinNewsom! #StandWithGavin @eqcaca pic.twitter.com/ZJ9W6s6GO9
— Rick Chavez Zbur (@RickChavezZbur) August 16, 2021
Today @ 10 AM, join me & Democratic Party leaders from across the Inland Empire to stand with Governor @GavinNewsom to #StopTheRepublicanRecall🛑! We will also be calling voters to share why they should #VoteNO❌ by September 14. You can register here: https://t.co/15xqFnfPpk pic.twitter.com/EyJi4Xpzvc
— Sabrina Cervantes (@Cervantes4CA) August 28, 2021
Others – like gay San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria – are using their platform to show voters exactly where their ballots needs to go.
There’s a lot on the line in California’s recall election.
I voted NO and mailed my ballot to @sdvote today.
Don’t delay! Return your ballot before September 14th.
It’s quick, easy and requires no postage thanks to @LorenaSGonzalez. pic.twitter.com/AAPC0drMe0
— Todd Gloria (@ToddGloria) August 30, 2021
But few officials are working as hard as out Assemblymember Evan Low when it comes to getting out the word about the election to LGBTQ voters.
I’ve joined @Grindr ! Let’s chat about Voting “NO” on the Republican Recall!
California deserves better❤️🏳️🌈#NoOnTheRecall #VoteNoOnRecall pic.twitter.com/Frb5e9JMDF
— Evan Low (@Evan_Low) September 2, 2021
No matter the approach, the message is clear: LGBTQ leaders across California are unified against recalling Gov. Newsom.
Information about how to vote in the California recall can be found at www.sos.ca.gov.
