California Governor Gavin Newsom may face a recall election before the end of the year.
California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis made the announcement Feb. 25. The Recall Gavin Newsom site lists over 60 reasons why the Governor should be recalled, including extreme government overreach and ongoing shutdowns.
Over 1.8 million have signed the petition, nearly 300,000 more than needed to trigger a recall election.
Organizers need to collect 1.5 million verified signatures by March 17. Experts say the organizers may need upwards of 2 million signatures to account for those disqualified during the verification process.
If enough signatures are submitted, a statewide review process is triggered and a special election would be held within 60 to 80 days.
Two questions could appear on the ballot: one asking if Newsome should be recalled and one on potential replacements if the recall passes.
This would be the second recall election for a California governor in the state's history. Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger replaced Democratic Governor Gray Davis in a 2003 recall election.
California Democrats believe the recall will make it but think Newsom would survive the special election.
This is the sixth time Newsom faces a recall attempt in the state. Newsom is only two years into his first term.
The reasons for the recall petition doesn't just involve issues with COVID-19. Those who have signed the petition have listed reasons including increased taxes, PG&E power outages, teacher's union and education issues, and lesser sentencing and clemency for violent criminals.
The claims on the website aren't totally unsubstantiated, but the Recall Gavin Newsom site does not have sources to back up the list of claims.
Newsom was widely criticized after dining indoors maskless at a dinner party with over 20 guests. Newsom later apologized for the event.
Newsom's approval rating is currently at 58%.
(CBS News and Associated Press contributed to this report.)
