Thursday, August 21, 2003

Special: California Recall Stateline.org--a site for journalists, policy makers and engaged citizens--has produced a special issue page for the latest developments on the Oct. 7 recall election of California Gov. Gray Davis. The issue page contains links to updated news stories, candidate profiles, political cartoons and Web blogs. California's Oct. 7 gubernatorial recall election is likely to dominate political and entertainment news prior to the voting because of its mixture of political intrigue and Hollywood celebrity. On the first Tuesday in October, California voters will be asked whether or not they want to oust Gov. Gray Davis from office, and if so, who his successor should be. Altogether, 247 Californians submitted the required $3,500 and 65 signatures to qualify for the recall ballot, and 135 were certified as candidates by the secretary of state's office. Davis was elected to a second term in November 2002. His unpopularity stems, among other things, from the state's $38 billion deficit as well as its energy problems. Davis' campaign to stay in office was jolted by the surprise decision of movie super-star and political novice Arnold Schwarzenegger to enter the race. Now, with several prominent Republicans running against him, and Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante�s name also on the ballot, Davis faces the political battle of his career. To stay in office, Davis must get more than 50 percent of the vote. If Davis is recalled, the candidate with the most votes will replace him. (Kavan Peterson, 8/14/03) http://www.stateline.org/issue.do?issueId=320354