Governor Gavin Newsom is racing against the clock to rectify the issue of rejected ballots while his highly valued mental health and housing bond, worth $6.4 billion, maintains a narrow lead.
The governor’s federal PAC, Campaign for Democracy, issued an urgent call to action to its supporters on Thursday evening. The request was for volunteers to reach out to Democrats whose ballots have been rejected, often due to simple oversights like forgetting to include a signature. The aim is to ensure that these ballots are counted and their voices heard.
“This ballot initiative is incredibly close, and your dedication to volunteering could be the decisive factor in helping individuals transition from homelessness to receiving the necessary treatment,” stated the governor in an email. “Truly, it is that close.”
Proposition 1 is currently leading with 50.2 percent of the vote, holding a narrow margin of about 21,000 votes. However, there are still half a million ballots left to be counted across the state. The situation is so uncertain that Governor Newsom has decided to postpone his annual State of the State address, which was initially planned for Monday.
Governor Newsom’s strategy to mobilize post-election ballots is a noteworthy move in his statewide effort. It clearly highlights the importance he places on Proposition 1, as he has invested both his political influence and financial resources into it. This proposition is a crucial component of his comprehensive plan to address homelessness, which is a significant concern for Californians. The failure of Proposition 1 would not only deal a major setback to Governor Newsom’s political agenda but also undermine his policy goals.
According to Steven Maviglio, a Sacramento-based Democratic consultant who has extensive experience working on statewide campaigns, it is extremely rare to see 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 to ensure success.
In a text message, he mentioned that the race is tight and that the final outcome might be revealed on Friday. The campaign is eagerly anticipating significant vote counts from important counties.
Throughout the campaign, Newsom faced minimal opposition and the “no” side acknowledged their defeat earlier this week. However, as more votes are being counted and the margin remains close, it is evident that the governor is anxious about the possibility of losing.
Dave Fratello, a former political consultant who volunteered with the campaign to defeat the measure, expressed his thoughts on the situation, stating, “It certainly signals desperation. I don’t know if it’s warranted, because it seems like Prop 1 is going to win by a comfortable enough margin.”
In California, it is possible for incorrect or missing signatures on ballots to be corrected or “cured” after they are submitted by the voter. However, it is not the usual practice for campaigns to personally visit voters to correct rejected ballots unless the election results are extremely close. This kind of outreach is more commonly observed in local or regional races.
According to Chris Lehane, an experienced veteran in the field of ballot initiatives, Governor Newsom finds himself in a unique position. He is faced with a closely contested battle, but he also has the necessary financial resources to continue fighting beyond Election Day.
According to Lehane, who previously led a campaign that was so close that supporters called for a recount, it is uncommon to have a ballot measure with such a narrow margin. Additionally, it is rare to have the resources and ability to implement a statewide solution.
Proposition 1 aims to modify the Mental Health Services Act, a tax implemented in 2004 on incomes exceeding one million dollars, which presently generates approximately $4 billion per year. Under this proposition, counties would be subject to additional obligations pertaining to the reporting and allocation of funds for mental health programs. Additionally, proponents of the measure argue that a $6.4 billion bond would be included to construct 11,000 treatment beds for addiction and mental health, as well as supportive housing for veterans.
