Q: How did the recall effort against Gov. Gray Davis qualify for the ballot?
A: Recall proponents, who were authorized to begin circulating petitions on March 25, had until Sept. 2 to collect valid signatures totaling 12 percent of the votes cast for governor in the last statewide election, or 897,158. To ensure they had enough to qualify rapidly through random sampling, they needed 110 percent of that number, or 986,783.

By late Wednesday, counties had reported 1,356,408 valid signatures to the state, and Secretary of State Kevin Shelley certified the election.
Q: When will a recall election occur?

A: Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante will set the election no earlier than Sept. 23 and no later than Oct. 7.

Q: How much would it cost?

A: Shelley's office estimates the cost of a special recall election at $30 million to $35 million. The cost includes mailing voter information guides to 11 million households.

Q: What would a recall ballot look like?

A: Shelley's office has said the ballot would be divided into two parts. In the first, voters would vote for or against the recall. Regardless of their vote on that question, voters could then select a replacement candidate.

If a majority of voters support a recall, the replacement candidate with the most votes would be elected to fill Davis' unexpired term of office, through early January 2007.

But Democratic officeholders are exploring another possibility -- that Bustamante would become governor. They note that the state Constitution says a replacement election would be held "if appropriate" and say that another section provides for the lieutenant governor to become governor if the governor's office is vacant.

Q: If a replacement election is held, who can run?

A: A candidate must be a U.S. citizen and a registered voter in California. Candidates must obtain 65 nomination signatures from members of their own party and must pay a $3,500 filing fee (or submit 10,000 signatures in lieu of the fee).

Q: How does a recall differ from impeachment?

A: Impeachment is a process used by a legislative body to remove a public official charged with misconduct in office.

California's recall system, in which voters are asked to remove an official, was established in 1911 under reformist Gov. Hiram Johnson. Progressives believed Californians needed remedies against political bosses and powerful entities such as Southern Pacific Railroad, which was thought to wield too much control over state politics. But the constitutional provisions for recall don't set forth any standards of corruption or ineptitude that must be proved or even alleged before a recall can be launched.

Q: Would taxpayers have to reimburse Davis' campaign if the recall fails?

A: The California Constitution says that a state officer who is not recalled "shall be reimbursed by the state for the officer's recall and election expenses legally and personally incurred." The issue would likely require further interpretation by the Fair Political Practices Commission.