RIVERSIDE, Calif. (CNS) — Voter guides for the Sept. 14 gubernatorial recall election will begin arriving in Riverside County residents' mailboxes this week, with information about the ballot, polling places and deadlines, according to the Office of the Registrar of Voters.

"Material in the voter information guide will help voters make informed choices," according to Registrar Rebecca Spencer. "(We) recommend that voters review the materials before casting an official ballot."

The ballot lists 46 candidates seeking to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom. There are two questions. The first is whether the incumbent should be recalled, and if so, the second asks voters to select one candidate to replace him.

If a majority fails to answer yes on the first, the second will be irrelevant.

The last recall election was in October 2003, when then-Gov. Gray Davis was successfully recalled, and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger won the majority of votes to replace him.

Hundreds of people signaled their intention to run in this recall election, but only 46 qualified based on paperwork filings, according to the California Secretary of State's Office.

One of the candidates is Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Hewitt, the lone Libertarian in the race. Hewitt openly opposed Newsom's coronavirus public health lockdowns, and last September, the supervisor sought to steer the county on an independent path by establishing stand-alone criteria for permitting businesses to remain open, ignoring California Department of Public Health tiers.

The effort turned into a symbolic gesture when the Board of Supervisors voted in agreement with its intent but backed away from implementing Hewitt's proposed policies.

According to the registrar, the first day for early voting will be Monday, and the last day to register to vote is Aug. 30.

Currently, there are 1,288,519 residents eligible to vote in the recall, officials said. 

The last day to request a mail-in ballot — for those who aren't already signed up — is Sept. 7, and some polling places will be available for early voting on Sept. 11.

Residents will be able to drop their ballots weekdays at the Office of the Registrar of Voters at 2720 Gateway Drive in Riverside.

People who mail ballots can track their status via WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.

More information about voter registration and the recall is available at www.voteinfo.net and www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/2021-ca-gov- recall.