Recall against Newsom to move forward

Organizers collect enough signatures to force special election

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - It's official. California Governor Gavin Newsom will face a recall election.

Organizers of the effort to remove the Democratic governor have collected enough signatures on their petitions to send voters back to the polls to determine if he should leave office.

The state secretary of state's office announced Monday more than 1.6 million signatures had been verified. That's about 100,000 more than needed to force a vote.

The election will likely be held in the fall. Voters will face two questions. First, should Newsom be recalled? Second, who should replace him? Ballots on the second question will only be counted if more than half of voters say yes to the first question.

Last week, former Olympic athlete and reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner joined a growing list of Republicans seeking to replace the governor. Other candidates include former San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer, Southern California businessman John Cox, former congressman Doug Ose, retired adult movie actress Mary Carey, and billboard model Angelyne.

California last recalled its governor in 2003. Voters replaced Democrat Gray Davis with Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger.