CA AB2161

Eliminates the filing fee option for candidates seeking to succeed a recalled Governor, requiring them to submit an in-lieu-filing-fee petition with voter signatures instead.

Allows candidates to begin collecting signatures for the petition once the Secretary of State determines that 50% of signatures required to qualify the recall petition have been submitted.

Establishes consensus ranked choice voting for gubernatorial recall elections, allowing voters to rank up to 10 candidates by preference, with the consensus candidate (preferred on a majority of ballots) declared the winner.

Implements instant runoff voting if no consensus candidate exists, progressively eliminating candidates with fewest votes across rounds until one candidate receives over 50% of votes on active ballots.

Provision becomes operative only if a specified constitutional amendment is approved by voters and takes effect.