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OK - here is how it will work:

1) Once the Secretary of State certifies the recall petition the proponents (the recall backers) have 160 days to gather the necessary number of signatures. This is 898,000 signatures (12% of the turnout from the last election - which is just 6% of all registered voters). Since you know there will be invalid signatures you realistically need about 1.2 - 1.3 million signatures to have a "buffer" to ensure it qualifies.

2) The Lt. Governor is then tasked with calling a special recall election. He has a time period mandated by law to do this. Bustamante (LG) will hope the signature collectors take a long time to get the necessary signatures because if they do then it just might be long enough so that within the legal guidelines it will be on NEXT MARCH's primary ballot. IF however, we collect the signatures quickly (which is why we are getting organized now) then he has no choice - the law forces a special election.

3) So voters go to the polls. There are TWO questions on the recall election ballot. FIRST: Do you support the recall of Governor Gray Davis. SECOND: In the event the Governor is recalled who do you support.

The recall question (#1) has to receive a majority (50% plus 1) to be successful. If it is, then the top vote-getter in the second question will be the new Governor. The only way the LG becomes Governor is IF he decides to run (big slap in the face to Davis and he better win or else his political career is over) AND he gets the most votes.

There is a question and answer link to these kinds of questions at the Recall Gray Davis Committee website: www.RecallGrayDavis.com/QA.asp

If he is recalled, is there a new election or does the Lt. Gov take over?

There are two question on the ballot: 1) Shoud Davis be recalled? 2) If he is recalled, who do you want in his place? Number 2 is a list of replacement candidates.

If this happens, it will be interesting to see who the Dems field. Will Bustamente, who has been counting on a 2006 run, bump up his schedule? If Davis isn't recalled, anyone on the Dem side who puts their name in contention has to be concerned about what the relationship with Davis would be like after that.