SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- An effort to recall California Governor Gavin Newsom has gathered more than enough valid signatures to trigger a special election, according to a document from the California Secretary of State.
So far, a total of 1,626,042 signatures have been validated. Only 1,495,709 valid signatures are required to trigger a recall election, according to the Secretary of State. More than 2,160,000 signatures were submitted statewide.
In San Diego County 238,097 signatures were submitted, 75 percent or 156,869 signatures were validated.
RELATED: Gov. Newsom admits mistakes, says recall isn't justified
A field of contenders has emerged this past year as critics express frustration with Newsom's handling of the pandemic and other issues throughout the state, like homelessness and housing.
Already lined up to challenge Gov. Newsom for his seat: former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faucloner, local businessman John Cox, and — recently — Gold medal-winning Olympian Caitlyn Jenner.
Following the announcement, Faulconer released the following statement:
Californians from all walks of life are seizing this historic opportunity to demand change. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents are coming together to support this recall and get our state back on track. As the only candidate who's won tough elections and enacted real reform, I am ready to lead this movement. Together, we will turn the page on Gavin Newsom's failures and begin a California Comeback to reopen our schools, cut taxes for working families, and create jobs for the people of our state.
Cox, who unsuccessfully ran against Newsom in 2018, also released a statement reading:
"The people are speaking and they are being heard. The recall of Gavin Newsom is happening. We are going to shake up Sacramento and take California in a new direction. We are going to lower taxes, make our state more affordable, and put the people ahead of the insiders. I’m going to fight like hell for our great state."
California's last recall election took place in 2003 when actor and Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger replaced then-Democratic Gov. Gray Davis.
Gov. Newsom tweeted later Monday that, "this Republican recall threatens our values and seeks to undo the important progress we’ve made -- from fighting COVID, to helping struggling families, protecting our environment, and passing commonsense gun violence solutions. There's too much at stake."
See the top California counties for valid signatures in the 2021 recall effort below:
Los Angeles County
- 328,224 Submitted Signatures
- 264,409 Valid Signatures
Orange County
- 285,452 Submitted Signatures
- 215,714 Valid Signatures
San Diego County*
- 238,097 Submitted Signatures
- 156,869 Valid Signatures
Riverside County*
- 186,806 Submitted Signatures
- 146,610 Valid Signatures
San Bernardino County*
- 130,382 Submitted Signatures
- 74,602 Valid Signatures
* Not all signatures submitted have been verified by Secretary of State yet
