US: California moved close to declaring an unprecedented recall vote against the governor as the latest number of verified signatures in the Republican-led effort were reported yesterday.
In figures posted on its website, California's Secretary of State reported his office had certified 678,472 of the 897,158 voter signatures needed to put a vote of confidence in Governor Gray Davis onto the ballot as soon as September.
With counties continuing to report their signature totals until 5 p.m. local time yesterday, the rapidly mounting numbers meant the extraordinary special election could gain an official green light.
Mr Davis, a Democrat, has seen his poll popularity numbers fall to new lows as the state has struggled with a record deficit after going through an energy crisis in his first term in office. The lawyer was re-elected just in November. Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, is expected to run if Mr Davis is recalled. - (Reuters)