The governor has the power to veto legislation, overrideable by a two-thirds majority in both houses, and can veto particular items from an appropriations bill while leaving others intact (see line-item veto). Law-enforcement powers include the ability to grant pardons and commute sentences, as well as serving as the commander-in-chief of the state militia (see United States National Guard).
Governors are elected by popular ballot and serve terms of four years, with a maximum of two terms.
The 2003 California recall was a representative recall movement that successfully forced sitting governor Gray Davis into a special recall election. It marked the first time in California's history that a governor faced a recall election. He was subsequently voted out of office, becoming just the second governor in U.S. history to have been recalled. He was replaced by Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger.
See also: List of Governors of California
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