Governor Gavin Newsom of California is facing a race against time to rectify the issue of rejected ballots, while his highly valued $6.4 billion mental health and housing bond hangs by a thread with a narrow lead.
The governor’s federal PAC, Campaign for Democracy, reached out to supporters on Thursday night with an urgent volunteer request. They asked for assistance in reaching out to Democrats whose ballots have been rejected due to reasons such as forgetting to include a signature. The goal is to ensure that these ballots are counted and their voices heard.
In an email from the governor, it was emphasized that the ballot initiative is on the verge of success, and your dedication as a volunteer could make a significant impact in helping people transition from homelessness to receiving the necessary treatment. The governor stressed the importance of every individual’s involvement, as the outcome of this initiative is crucially close.
Proposition 1 currently holds a slim lead of 50.2 percent in the latest update, with approximately 21,000 votes ahead. However, there are still half a million ballots left to be counted across the state, creating a significant level of uncertainty. As a result, Governor Newsom made the decision to postpone his annual State of the State address, which was originally planned for Monday.
Governor Newsom’s post-election ballot mobilization is an impressive strategy for a statewide effort and demonstrates the high stakes involved for him. As a governor who has invested his political influence and resources into Proposition 1, its failure would deal a significant blow to his overall agenda, particularly his ambitious plan to address homelessness, which is a top concern among California voters.
Steven Maviglio, a Democratic consultant based in Sacramento with experience in statewide campaigns, expressed surprise at the rarity of a statewide measure like this. He stated, “I’ve never heard of that before.”
According to Anthony York, a spokesperson for the campaign, proponents are taking every precaution and leaving no room for error.
“The race is tight,” he messaged, noting that the campaign anticipates significant vote updates from crucial counties and expects the final outcome to be announced on Friday.”
Throughout the campaign, Newsom didn’t face much opposition, and this week, the “no” side conceded defeat. However, as more votes are being counted and the margin remains narrow, it is evident that the governor is anxious about the possibility of losing.
“It’s a clear sign of desperation,” commented Dave Fratello, a former political consultant who generously dedicated his time to the campaign opposing the measure. “I’m not sure if it’s justified though, as it appears that Prop 1 will emerge victorious with a comfortable margin.”
In California, it is possible for incorrect or missing signatures on ballots to be rectified, or “cured,” after they have been submitted by voters. However, it is not a common practice for campaigns to personally visit voters’ homes to correct rejected ballots, unless the election results are extremely close. This approach is more frequently observed in local or regional races.
Chris Lehane, an experienced ballot initiative veteran, pointed out that Governor Newsom finds himself in a unique position. He is facing a tight battle but has the financial resources to continue the fight beyond Election Day.
“It’s not often that we see a ballot measure that is as closely contested as this,” remarked Lehane, who spearheaded a campaign in 2012 that was so closely contested that supporters felt compelled to request a recount. “Furthermore, it is rare to have the resources available to implement a statewide solution.”
Proposition 1 aims to amend the Mental Health Services Act, which is a tax on incomes over a million dollars, established in 2004. Currently, this tax generates approximately $4 billion per year. The proposed amendment would introduce new guidelines for counties to report and allocate these funds specifically for mental health programs. Additionally, the measure includes a $6.4 billion bond, with the intention of constructing 11,000 treatment beds for addiction and mental health, as well as supportive housing for veterans.
