The Sept. 14 recall vote's early date means challengers to Gov. Gavin Newsom face an uphill battle to even get on the ballot.
The final day to file paperwork is July 16, giving prospective challengers a tight two-week deadline. According to Sonoma State University political analyst David McCuan, candidates wanting to enter the race will still run up against additional challenges even if they do file on time.
"You’re going to need resources, which means money, and you’re going to need media and a message,” McCuan said.
McCuan added, “That doesn’t leave you a lot of time to put those three things together to challenge the governor.”
California Republicans have denounced the earlier-than-expected date chosen for the recall election. They say scheduling the vote for Sept. 14 is a political move to help the governor. State lawmakers approved a change in election rules earlier this week to allow the vote to be held in September.
Republican lawmaker Kevin Kiley criticized the move when it was under debate in the state Assembly, saying, “Every child knows the word for changing the rules in the middle of the game. It’s cheating.”
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, a Democrat, announced the date on Thursday.
“Although the window of time from which I could select a date was narrow, I believe we have chosen a fair and reasonable date for this election to take place,” Kounalakis said in a statement.
The Public Policy Institute of California’s May survey found 57% of likely voters support keeping Newsom in office, while 40% would vote to recall him.
Challengers to Newsom include olympian and reality tv star Caitlyn Jenner, Republican businessman John Cox, former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Steve Lodge, the fiance of former Real Housewives of Orange County star Vicki Gunvalson.
Harmeet Dhillon, the national committeewoman from California for the Republican National Committee, said she is expecting a media blitz in the coming three months.
“We are going to be bombarded with a barrage of advertising in California like we’ve probably never seen in modern history,” said Dhillon.