A line chart showing job approval ratings for Newsom and Davis. Back in 2003, Gov. Gray Davis was much more unpopular than Gavin Newsom is today. Davis's job approval rating was mired below 30 percent, whereas current Gov. Gavin Newsom's approval rating has hovered around 50 percent.
This year's recall election will take place on Sept. 14, 2021. The 2003 recall election took place on Oct. 7, 2003.