It's been a busy year for California voters, with the fall 2003 campaign to recall former Gov. Gray Davis and the election of Hollywood actor Arnold Schwarzenegger to replace him.

As the nation and world watched, voters elected Schwarzenegger, out of a field of some 135 candidates. Davis had won his second term in 2002 by defeating Republican businessman Bill Simon in a race in which many voters disliked both candidates.

Schwarzenegger's plans to attract jobs, revive a troubled economy and erase a massive deficit will have to go through a Legislature controlled by Democrats angered by the recall process some called a hostile takeover.

Schwarzenegger will have to work with Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, a Democrat who ran as a replacement for Davis and finished second, behind Schwarzenegger.

California's troubled economy helped spur on Davis' recall. After patching a $23.6 billion budget gap last year, legislators are faced with a new $21.1 billion deficit in the state's budget. Analysts say shortfalls of $12 billion to $16 billion are possible for at least six more years.

Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer is expected to seek a third term in 2004. Her Republican opposition will be Bill Jones, the former secretary of state. Jones won out of a field of four for the chance to take on Boxer in the general election. His opponents included: attorney and former Assemblyman Howard Kaloogian, businesswoman Toni Casey and former U.S. Treasurer Rosario Marin.

The state has two open House seats this year, with the self-imposed term-limit of Republican Rep. Doug Ose and the retirement of Democrat Calvin Dooley.

In one well-watched House race in 2002, Rep. Gary Condit's seat went to Democratic Assemblyman Dennis Cardoza, who beat Republican state Sen. Richard Monteith.

In the 2002 election, voters approved $13 billion in bonds for new schools.

Schwarzenegger garnered attention as a politician in 2002 when he led a successful fight for a proposition to spend millions of dollars on after-school care for kids.