California voters can fire a state official before the end of a term through a recall election. But what happens after that? Right now, the same ballot asks two questions: Should the official go, and who should take the job if they do?

Proposition 5 would split those decisions apart. Voters would still decide whether to recall a state official, but they wouldn't choose a replacement on that ballot. Instead, the vacancy would be filled later through an election or an appointment, depending on the office. That's a fairly big change to a system California has used for more than a century.

How Does a Recall Work Today?

A recall starts with a petition and enough valid voter signatures to qualify an election. On election day, voters answer whether to remove the official and choose among replacement candidates. If the recall succeeds, the candidate with the most replacement votes wins—even without a majority.

That arrangement can produce a strange result: a politician can be removed by a majority while the successor wins with a much smaller share of the vote. Supporters of Proposition 5 say that's the flaw they want to fix.

Who Would Fill the Empty Office?

Under Proposition 5, a recalled state Assembly member or senator would generally be replaced through a separate special election. For other statewide offices, such as attorney general or lieutenant governor, the governor would make an appointment under existing vacancy rules.

The governor's office gets its own rules. If a governor were recalled later in the term, the lieutenant governor would serve the rest of that term. For certain recalls early in a governor's term, the lieutenant governor would serve until voters choose a successor at a future statewide election.

And yes, a recalled official could run again in a special election held to fill the vacancy. Removing someone from office wouldn't necessarily end their political career.

Could This Save Taxpayers Money?

Maybe. Or it could cost more. The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst says eliminating the replacement question could reduce election expenses in some cases, particularly when the vacancy is filled by appointment.

But a separate special election can also be expensive. Depending on the office and timing, the state and counties could spend millions more—or save millions. There's no dependable single price tag because nobody knows when or where the next recall will happen.

Why Do People Disagree?

Supporters argue the current system lets a replacement candidate win with less support than the majority needed to remove the original officeholder. They say a separate vacancy process would prevent that outcome.

Opponents say voters should be able to choose the replacement at the same time they remove someone. They object to giving appointment power to other elected officials and warn that separate elections could leave some districts without representation for longer.

For voters in Vista and San Marcos, the change would matter in a future recall of a California state official. It would not rewrite the rules for recalling a city council member or another local officeholder.

Questions You May Have About Proposition 5

Could voters still recall a state official?

Yes. Proposition 5 would change how the vacancy is filled, not eliminate recall elections.

Would voters choose the replacement on the recall ballot?

No. A later special election or an appointment would fill the office, depending on the position.

What if California's governor were recalled?

The lieutenant governor would take over, with a later statewide election required in certain early-term circumstances.

Would it automatically save taxpayer money?

No. The official analysis says costs or savings could reach millions of dollars, depending on the circumstances.

Official sources: California Secretary of State, November 3, 2026 Proposition 5 Official Voter Information Guide; Legislative Analyst's Office, Proposition 5 analysis.