Voters on the Central Coast react to California recall results

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The pattern was confirmed early on Tuesday night with a tremendous influx of "no on recall" votes coming in after the polls closed in the California Gubernatorial election.

The lead was very apparent especially in coastal counties up and down the state, along with the larger cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco.

For voters who did not favor the recall process as a way to evaluate and change the Governor, they will have a regularly scheduled election next year.

Some analysts say the victory will be a boost for Governor Gavin Newsom and make any opponent have a challenging task to find enough voters to unseat him in the quest for another term.

The leading candidate that could have replaced Newsom was Larry Elder who entered the race later than others. He has not said much about his future in politics.

 By surviving the recall election, Newsom puts that issue aside. 

Voters are now watching to see how he attacks the California agenda between now and next year's election. "Going forward there are many issues California will have to deal with, not the least will be homelessness, the cost of housing  and the economic recovery after COVID."

"I feel like all of it is really difficult to figure out what to do," said voter Eva Cheever at the main Santa Barbara Post Office.  "You can never make everyone happy with what you are trying to do. "I think Gavin has done a good job with what  has been thrown at him,  like Covid is terrifying for everyone. He did the best that he could I feel like. "

The vote by mail election started weeks ago and there was a strong interest in this decision. Elections officials say there was a solid turnout,  in person Tuesday, on election day.

Along the way, some voters were concerned about the process but Ron Liechti said, "I am glad it was very decisive.  So you can't say it was fraud one way or another. "  

The recall election cost Santa Barbara County $2.8 million. That money will be reimbursed by the state.

California will have an overall bill of an estimated $300 million for the election.

Jennifer Jenkins said, "that was terrible, it was a big waste of time and money. As for other choices for the funds, she said, "schools, public health, COVID ,  anything but that."

Voter Richard Ganan agreed. "I think this kind of measure is wasteful and unnecessary."   He suggested, "it could have gone to less fortunate citizens like myself  actually who struggle to get by."

On Tuesday, Santa Barbara County processed 105,213 ballots for the first look at results. 

The county still has an estimated 41,500 to count.

Ultimately that could result in a 61.5 percent turnout from the 238,500 registered voters.

Compared to 2003 it is a slightly lower percentage, but because of the higher number of registered voters, it is a larger number of overall voters.