Central Valley voters deeply split over California Gov. recall effort

The difference between 'Yes' and 'No' votes was slim for each county.

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Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Central Valley voters deeply split over CA Gov. recall effort
Merced County appears to have voted for Newsom to stay as governor, while voters in Fresno, Mariposa, Madera, Tulare and Kings counties voted for him to be recalled.

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Though a large majority of the state appears to have rejected the recall effort of Gov. Gavin Newsom, voters in Central California were deeply split on the issue.

RELATED: California recall rejected: Voters decide to let Governor Gavin Newsom keep his job

With partial results in, Merced County appears to have voted for Newsom to stay as governor, while voters in Fresno, Mariposa, Madera, Tulare and Kings counties voted for him to be recalled.

The difference between 'Yes' and 'No' votes was slim for each county.

In Fresno County, with 68% of the expected vote counted, 50% of voters said Newsom should keep his job, while 50% voted 'No.' Six-hundred and seventy-nine votes separate the 'Yes' and 'No' votes in the county, with a majority favoring the recall.

60% of voters in Mariposa County voted 'Yes' and 40% voted 'No', with 76% of the expected vote counted.

59% of voters in Madera County voted 'Yes' and 41% voted 'No', with 69% of the expected vote counted.

59% of voters in Tulare County voted 'Yes' and 41% voted 'No', with 66% of the expected vote counted.

63% of voters in Kings County voted 'Yes' and 37% voted 'No', with 70% of the expected vote counted.

In Merced County, there's another narrow split, but this time the majority rejected the recall. With 69% of the expected vote counted and a difference of 38 votes, 50% of voters voted 'Yes' and 50% voted 'No."

MAP OF RESULTS BY COUNTY

Voters were asked two questions: Should Newsom be removed from office, and, if so, who should replace him? The ballot had 46 names to choose from, but much of the attention has focused on Republican talk radio host Larry Elder, who was seeking to become California's first Black governor.

Overall, ABC News is projecting that California has voted not to recall.

RELATED: 5 takeaways after Gov. Newsom survives California recall attempt

Newsom is just the fourth governor in U.S. history and the second in California to face a recall. He was elected in a landslide less than three years ago and will now be up for reelection next year.

(With AP Inputs)