Will write-in candidates be permitted in the recall election?

Yes. Voters can either write in a candidate's name or choose from the 135 candidates listed on the ballot.

But only write-in candidates who have registered with the secretary of state's office will be counted. The deadline for filing as a write-in candidate is Sept. 23, two weeks before the Oct. 7 election. Nomination papers have been available through county registrars' offices since Monday.

Like regular candidates, write-in candidates will have to collect 65 nomination signatures from voters registered within their own party. According to California election statutes, they don't pay the $3,500 filing fee charged to candidates whose names appear on the ballot.

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Submit questions on the recall process to "Recall Q&A" at metrodesk@latimes.com.