Millions vote in California recall

Arnie supporters are already planning victory celebrations

Millions of Californians have gone to the polls to vote for the person they want to govern the richest and most populous US state for the next three years.

Polling stations were reporting record turnouts for the unprecedented ballot on whether to oust current governor Gray Davis and, if so, on who should replace him.

The front-runner, film star Arnold Schwarzenegger, arrived with his wife Maria Shriver to vote in their Los Angeles neighbourhood and said: "I feel good. It's up to the gods now."

After casting his own vote in West Hollywood, Mr Davis said: "I feel absolutely terrific. I have always trusted the voters of California and I know they're going to do the right thing today."

LEADING CANDIDATES Arnold Schwarzenegger, Republican Lt Gov Cruz Bustamante, Democrat Tom McClintock, Republican Polls open 1400 GMT Polls close 0300 GMT Wed About 15.4 registered voters

The unprecedented ballot will see voters first choose whether to dump the sitting Democrat, Gray Davis. For this, a simple majority of votes is required.

The voters will then pick from a list of more than 130 possible replacements - if Mr Davis is recalled, his successor will be the person who gets the most votes.

Polls opened at 0700 local time (1400 GMT) and are due to remain open until 2000 (0300 GMT Wednesday).

More than two million of California's 15.4 million voters have already voted by absentee ballot.

Excitement

By late Tuesday morning, election officials were reporting long lines and a shortage of parking places.

"I've never been so busy, ever," said Patti Negri, who has been a polling supervisor in Hollywood for 12 years.

Gray Davis said he trusted the voters to keep him in power

"We had to do a lot of paperwork, but people seem excited and ready to vote."

The BBC's Justin Webb said the Arnold Schwarzenegger's camp were already planning their victory celebrations at a Los Angeles hotel.

He says they believe such a big turnout proves Californians are determined to see Gray Davis swept from power.

Mr Schwarzenegger has insisted his bid has not been hurt by accusations that he sexually harassed women and once praised Hitler.

On his last day of campaigning, he appeared with women including his wife and mother-in-law and said thank you to his female supporters - who carried banners reading "Remarkable Women Join Arnold".

HAVE YOUR SAY This controversy won't prevent Arnold from getting elected Vic Paul, Canada Send us your comments

Stunt double Rhonda Miller, who worked on two Schwarzenegger films in the early 1990s, became the latest woman to claim that the bodybuilder turned actor had abused her.

In response, Mr Schwarzenegger repeated an apology he made last week for "rowdy behaviour" on film sets, but denied groping Ms Miller.

The Los Angeles Times reported last week that at least six women alleged similar behaviour over a period of 25 years.

The newspaper opposes recalling Mr Davis, who was elected to his second term as governor a year ago.

Knife edge

Firefighters turned out for Mr Davis in San Francisco, a Democratic stronghold. Bill Clinton, Al Gore and Barbra Streisand have all recorded messages urging Democrats to vote.

An independent poll on Sunday suggested a clear majority in favour of recalling Mr Davis, with Mr Schwarzenegger leading the candidates to replace him.

But Mr Davis's campaign said its own polling showed results on a knife edge over whether or not to recall him.

ALSO IN THE RACE Larry Flynt, Hustler publisher Gary Coleman, former Diff'rent Stroke actor Mary Carey, porn actress Kurt "Tachikaze" Rightmyer, sumo wrestler

Candidates include the publisher of girlie magazine Hustler, a porn movie star, and a former child actor.

Other than Mr Davis and Mr Schwarzenegger, only Democratic Lt Gov Cruz Bustamante and Republican state senator Tom McClintock are considered realistic contenders.

Republican activists triggered the recall vote - the first in California's history - following frustration at the state's $38bn budget deficit, high levels of unemployment and struggling schools.

Only one governor has been recalled in United States history - North Dakota's Lynn Frazier, in 1921.