Fate of California Gov. Gavin Newsom hangs on recall vote

With Gov. Gavin Newsom's fate at stake, Californians on Tuesday cast the last of the ballots that will decide whether he continues to lead them or if the nation's most populous state veers in a more conservative direction amid anger over his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Newsom, a Democrat who is leading in polls, is only 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.

"I'm feeling good, as long as we can get out that vote," Newsom said after greeting volunteers in San Francisco hours before the polls closed.

A recall election has a less predictable dynamic than a regular election, he said.

"They designed this to catch us while we're sleeping," Newsom said. "But I think you've seen in the early voting Democrats have been coming out strong, and I'm just humbled by that."