Gov. Newsom faces recall realities as more than half of likely California voters say they will vote 'yes' to end his first term early. San Francisco Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers via Getty Images 51% of likely California voters would vote 'yes' to recall Gov. Newsom, according to a Survey USA poll. A majority of voters supporting the recall cite Newsom's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Democrat Kevin Paffrath and Republican Larry Elder led the pack of those running to replace Newsom. See more stories on Insider's business page. Fifty-one percent of likely California voters say they would vote 'yes' to recall Gov.