Gov. Gray Davis faces the nation's first gubernatorial recall election in 82 years. It will be a first in California.
State officials are accepting 1.3 million valid signatures on petitions asking for the vote.
Davis was elected in a landslide and re-elected last Fall.
But, his popularity has plunged in recent months over California's budget deficit, energy crisis and slumping economy.
He calls the republican-led drive to oust him "a hostile takeover by the right." He says he'll fight and win.
The only declared major-party candidate so far is the Republican Congressman Darrell Issa.