LOS ANGELES (AP) — It will cost California counties an estimated $215 million to stage an expected recall election that could oust Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom from office later this year.
The preliminary projection from the state Finance Department comes about a month after a coalition of county officials urged the Legislature to provide funding to cover the recall election costs, warning that they could strain local budgets already weakened by the coronavirus pandemic.
The figures were provided by counties that estimated what it would cost for everything from printing ballots to providing face masks and gloves for election workers.
Democratic leaders in the state Legislature say the state will cover the estimated $215 million cost. They also say they intend to waive a legislative financial review, potentially allowing the contest to be held at an earlier date.
The election was widely expected to come sometime in the fall. At this point, no date has been set.
