Californian Democrats brazenly stole another election overnight, as they unfairly turned their huge numerical advantage in the state into votes at the ballot box. Such trickery ensured a comfortable victory for Governor Gavin Newsom in his recall election and left Republicans ruing that wrinkle in the electoral system that allows candidates with the most votes to win elections.
To say the result was never in doubt would overlook how worried Democrats had been in recent weeks, perhaps largely down to the bullish nature of the Republican challenge. Recall elections are relatively common in the 18 states where the rules of direct democracy allow voters to challenge incumbent politicians. In the case of California, only 12 per cent of voters were needed to force Governor Gavin Newsom into a special election at a time when he looked vulnerable after his response to Covid.
