---

 [ NEIGHBORHOOD ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=327)

#  Reform the recall process; make it honest

RECALL REFORM - Gov. Gavin Newsom has an opportunity to reform California’s flawed recall process with the stroke of his pen.

Written by Josh Newman on September 23 2021.

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

 [Comments](#disqus_thread)

RECALL REFORM - Gov. Gavin Newsom has an opportunity to reform California’s flawed recall process with the stroke of his pen.

Sitting on his desk, approved by both houses of the Legislature, is my [Senate Bill 660](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB660), which prohibits organizers of recalls, initiatives and referenda from paying signature gatherers on a per-signature or “bounty” basis.

California’s [state Constitution](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codesTOCSelected.xhtml?tocCode=CONS&tocTitle=+California+Constitution+-+CONS) allows voters to take direct action to enact or repeal laws or to [remove elected officials](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=CONS&division=&title=&part=&chapter=&article=II) from office. We have these tools of participatory democracy because in 1911, when California’s state government was dominated by manipulative special interests, reform-minded advocates believed that average citizens should have a “safety valve” to enact laws that otherwise might be thwarted by corrupt forces.

Ironically, in the century since they were adopted, these constitutional tools have become subject to abuse and exploitation by the very powers they were intended to offset.

In addition to SB 660, I plan to introduce two bills that also address the recall process. The first would raise the threshold for the number of signatures needed to qualify a recall effort, from 12% to 20% of the participating electorate in the last election.

When the framers of recall devised the process more than a century ago, they didn’t imagine a digital reality – online fundraising, Twitter, Facebook, “echo-chamber” media and bitter partisan polarization. In the face of all that, it’s clear that the 12% threshold no longer serves its intended purpose of validating the legitimacy of a recall effort. The threshold should be raised accordingly to 20%.

My second reform is the elimination of the “Part B” question on the recall ballot – who should become governor if a recall vote succeeds. California already has a No. 2 constitutional officer in the person of the lieutenant governor. In the same way that the vice president assumes power if the US president is impeached, the lieutenant governor, who is elected independently of the governor, should assume the office if a governor is recalled. Such a change would strip out the very clear, current incentive for political mischief and restore the recall process to being a means to achieve justice, as the framers intended.

Yet for now, SB 660 offers the most immediate rescue. Because bounty-paid signature gatherers optimize their compensation by persuading voters to sign as rapidly as possible, professional signature gatherers routinely employ misleading information and outright lies in order to collect the maximum signatures in the minimum amount of time. Instances of fraudulent representation of petitions are numerous and well documented.

SB 660 addresses this corrosive incentive structure by prohibiting campaigns from paying signature gatherers on a per-signature basis for initiatives, referendums or recalls, while still permitting payment on an hourly or salaried basis, as long as compensation is not based on the number of signatures obtained.

Direct democracy processes have an essential role in California’s politics and governance. We must ensure, however, that these processes are honest and that voters aren’t continually subjected to deception and duplicity that generate distrust in our precious electoral democracy.

Seven other states, including Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota and Wyoming, have examined the issues surrounding paid signature gathering and adopted legislation similar to SB 660. Those states prohibit per-signature bounty payments and require instead that compensation be hourly or salaried. California should do the same. Our democracy and governance will be better for this reform.

*(Sen.* [*Josh Newman*](https://calmatters.org/legislator-tracker/josh-newman-1964/)*, a Democrat from Fullerton, represents California’s 29th Senate District.)*

[![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/ME%20DENTAL%20SPA/me%20dental%202026%20final.jpg)](http://medentalspa.com/)

 ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 Phone

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2")

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/bb/062a-bb8ffb47.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33163:4-4-billion-later-inside-the-broken-machinery-of-los-angeles-homelessness-system&catid=312)

### [ $4.4 Billion Later: Inside the Broken Machinery of Los Angeles’ Homelessness System](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33163:4-4-billion-later-inside-the-broken-machinery-of-los-angeles-homelessness-system&catid=312)

THE BOTTOM LINE - When Karen Bass became mayor of Los Angeles in December 2022, she declared a state of emergency on ho…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/0f/061a-0f1ada2f.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398)

### [Brace Yourself For A Worse Housing Crisis](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398)

PLANNING WATCH - The California State Legislature will soon vote on the following draft legislation. Please carefully…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/19/062f-19a66144.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33162:prolonged-ignorance-of-a-ticking-bomb-does-not-neutralize-it&catid=9)

### [Prolonged Ignorance Of A Ticking Bomb Does Not Neutralize It](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33162:prolonged-ignorance-of-a-ticking-bomb-does-not-neutralize-it&catid=9)

OP/ED - The recent landslide of chemical leaks, fires and extremely dangerous events have proven, without any doubt, th…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/52/061i-524faa80.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33149:fighting-to-save-santa-monica&catid=401)

### [Fighting to Save Santa Monica](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33149:fighting-to-save-santa-monica&catid=401)

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE - Out of personal tragedy, Derrick Townsend’s candidacy for Santa Monica City Council was born…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/ee/061g-ee0fb882.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33140:is-the-graffiti-towers-redevelopment-plan-a-worthwhile-investment&catid=12)

### [Is the Graffiti Towers Redevelopment Plan a Worthwhile Investment?](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33140:is-the-graffiti-towers-redevelopment-plan-a-worthwhile-investment&catid=12)

LA WATCHDOG - Mayor Karen Bass announced last week that graffiti removal and blight abatement will begin following the…

---

##  [ NEIGHBORHOOD ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=327)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/060l.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33132:venice-homelessness-committee-recommends-vacancy-tax-to-generate-additional-revenue-for-unhoused-solutions&catid=327)### [Venice Homelessness Committee Recommends Vacancy Tax To Generate Additional Revenue For Unhoused Solutions. ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33132:venice-homelessness-committee-recommends-vacancy-tax-to-generate-additional-revenue-for-unhoused-solutions&catid=327)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/059k.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33108:when-burbank-cant-tell-you-what-it-spent-that-isnt-preservation-its-a-blank-check&catid=327)### [When Burbank Can’t Tell You What It Spent, That Isn’t Preservation — It’s A Blank Check](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33108:when-burbank-cant-tell-you-what-it-spent-that-isnt-preservation-its-a-blank-check&catid=327)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/059e.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33117:judging-the-effectiveness-of-a-neighborhood-council-an-interview-with-venice-community-officer-clark-brown&catid=327)### [Judging The Effectiveness Of A Neighborhood Council. An Interview With Venice Community Officer Clark Brown. ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33117:judging-the-effectiveness-of-a-neighborhood-council-an-interview-with-venice-community-officer-clark-brown&catid=327)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/056o.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33054:water-main-break-floods-west-hollywood-streets-underscores-aging-infrastructure-concerns&catid=327)### [Water Main Break Floods West Hollywood Streets, Underscores Aging Infrastructure Concerns](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33054:water-main-break-floods-west-hollywood-streets-underscores-aging-infrastructure-concerns&catid=327)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/056d.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33048:former-foes-unite-behind-brian-goldsmith-in-sd-24-race&catid=327)### [Former Foes Unite Behind Brian Goldsmith in SD 24 Race](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33048:former-foes-unite-behind-brian-goldsmith-in-sd-24-race&catid=327)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>