This is the April 26, 2021 edition of the Essential Politics newsletter. Do you like what you read? Sign up three times a week to get it to your inbox.
Given the signs of a special election this fall that could see voters remove Governor Gavin Newsom from office, local officials across California believe that the cost of holding the elections could be as high as $ 400 million.
The estimate is four to five times higher than estimates made over the past few months and is about $ 18 per registered voter – more than twice what local electoral officials spent on California elections in 2018.
It is an award dated by districts struggling to meet pandemic-related health and health program costs State coverage.
« This is urgent, » said Donna Johnston, Sutter County voter registrar and president of the California Assn. of employees and elected officials.
Johnston’s group based its estimate of $ 400 million on a preliminary cost statement from the November 2020 election, for which a ballot was sent to each registered voter and which were strictly regulated in person to vote minimize the risk of coronavirus infections.
The recall elections will be conducted in a similar manner. State officials have already expanded the sending of ballot papers to all voters for special elections in 2021.
With spending reported by 33 of California’s 58 counties, the Employees’ Association’s balance sheet for last November was $ 292 million. The final numbers could make it the most expensive choice in state history. It was also an election subsidized by the federal coronavirus relief funds. In some small counties, the money covered most of the election costs.
A neglected provision in a 2017 California law that revised the rules for recall voting seems to suggest that the state will take the tab for « reasonably necessary » costs, but also states that there are funds that are « intended for this purpose. »
A Newsom spokesman declined to say whether the governor would support putting money in the new state budget for a recall election. Governor’s campaign spokesman Dan Newman said Californians would rather spend the money helping schools and small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The leaders of the two legislatures that are around Support for the state, which bears the cost of the election, was instead criticized by supporters of the recall.
« Neither the state nor the counties should take account of such unnecessary elections, » said assembly spokesman Anthony Rendon (D -Lakewood).
« This is a very expensive partisan Republican ploy, and as usual, taxpayers leave their pockets in their hands as you see it, » Senate President Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) said in an E -Mail to The Times.
Randy Economy, a spokesperson for Newsom’s recall campaign, said some costs – particularly the requirement to send a ballot to every registered voter – could have been avoided if the Be offices would have allowed a “traditional” election. He said the governor is the one who bears responsibility through his actions.
« You can’t put a price on democracy, » said the business community. « The only reason we’re in this position is Gavin Newsom. »
The looming question of who will pay to carry out the recall is a stark reminder of how the California elections have been chronically underfunded for years are.
« While the state regularly benefits from the administration of state elections, it only sporadically provides the counties with funds for electoral activities, » wrote the independent Legislative Analyst’s Office in a report from 2017.
In The report valued total county debt for previous electoral mandates at that time at $ 71 million and announced that without legislative action it would grow by about $ 30 million each general election year. Johnston, president of the white-collar workers association, said some estimates put the IOU for the state election now at $ 160 million. Voters may not see the possible consequences. In a 2017 column, I noted that California law allows counties to simply stop offering some of these voting services if the state doesn’t spit out enough money: « You could refuse to send postal ballot papers to anyone who wants one To make available. Or perhaps more provocatively in the current climate of electoral integrity, they might refuse to apply longstanding legal rules when asked to verify a voter’s signature on a preliminary ballot. No money, no mandate services. “
With the new electoral rules coming into effect, the districts will continue to advocate that the state pays its fair share. A new law that allowed voter registration up to and including election day did not bring clear funding for locals – a decision that was challenged by San Diego County in December.
One thing we know for sure is that the state has the money. There are already estimates for a massive tax break and discretionary revenue in the state budget totaling 20 billion US dollars by the summer of 2022.
« The best way for the state to show the counties some love is to give them the money said Kim Alexander, president of the bipartisan California Voter Foundation.
In a surprise for local election officials and political observers, last week ended with a report from Secretary of State Shirley Weber on the number of signatures for recall requests by the counties by April 19. An announcement could be made as early as Monday.
The Weber office is responsible for collecting these reports from the counties and, if necessary, conducting a final review to ensure the numbers add up.
A spokesman for the Secretary did not respond to inquiries at the time of the report on Friday. Based on the number of electoral signatures validated last month and preliminary reports from some counties, the record is likely to confirm what even Newsom has already admitted: He will face a recall election later this year.
The counties must all Complete reviews of recall requests by Thursday. As soon as Weber informs election officials of the results, the watch will begin a series of other preparations for recall elections.
The California governor’s recall in 2003 drew several celebrities. So it may come as no surprise that the 2021 edition will reflect a mix of politics and Hollywood, provided by Caitlyn Jenner.
Last week, the reality TV star and former Olympic gold medalist announced her intention to do so participate in the recall election to serve for the remainder of Newsom’s term in office should voters oust him.
« I am a proven winner and the only underdog who can end Gavin Newsom’s disastrous governor, » wrote 71-year-old Republican Jenner on Twitter.
The appearance of Jenner, her mix of activism on transgender issues and one-time support for former President Donald Trump, made headlines across the country. Newsom’s political team sent out several donation emails in the hours following the news broadcast. On Saturday, the campaign warned donors that Jenner is part of GOP efforts to « bring a Trump acolyte to power » in California.
Some experts compared Jenner’s candidacy to that of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is running the election of 2003, when voters remembered Governor Gray Davis, won with ease. But for those of us who have covered this election, the comparison has its limits. Most notably, Schwarzenegger had thought long and hard about a run for the governor – one he had pioneered by successfully campaigning for a 2002 statewide election that provided funding for after-school programs.
On the campaign trail, Schwarzenegger certainly used his iconic image to draw attention to his reputable campaign platform. He eventually won the support of California Republican leaders and cemented his support within the GOP base. « What credentials are there? » Don Sipple, a political advisor who produced advertising for Schwarzenegger’s 2003 campaign, said of Jenner. « What is the foundation laid in public policy to indicate that she would be a plausible candidate or governor? »
The early hours of Jenner’s candidacy were tumultuous. Her decision was quickly criticized by one of the largest LGBTQ rights groups in California and by trans activists across the country. And in a tweet posted on Saturday, she suggested that California prosecutors either be selected or respond to Newsom – neither scenario is true, however.
– As his presidency hits its 100th day this week, it’s clear that President Biden has decided to rule as progressive on the question of the government’s role in society, clearly to the left of his three democratic predecessors.
– On Saturday, Biden officially recognized the murder of more than 1 million Armenians from 1915 onwards as genocide. This label has long been used by historians but was rejected by US presidents in order not to anger Turkey, a key ally.
– Months after former Trump’s electoral defeat, Arizona Republicans are questioning the result, as they make unprecedented efforts to validate the results.
– Newsom took action on Friday to ban new hydraulic fracture permits from 2024. This is a reversal of previous statements that lacked executive power.
– Legislators confirmed Democratic MP Rob Bonta as California attorney general on Thursday. He told his former colleagues that he would hold law enforcement accountable for excessive violence and other misconduct.
– A federal appeals court ruled Friday that criminal defendants were not deprived of their right to speedy trial or unconstitutionally forced to stay behind bars stay because the COVID-19 pandemic delayed their legal proceedings.
– Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s spending plan for fiscal year 2021-22 includes a slight increase for the LAPD. This disappoints proponents who want to use these funds for social services.
Stay up to date with the latest news on our politics page. And follow us on Twitter @latimespolitics? Has anyone forwarded this to you? Sign up here to get Essential Politics in your inbox. Until next time, send your comments, suggestions, and news tips to [email protected].
John Myers joined the Los Angeles Times in 2015 as head of the Sacramento office and has spent more than two decades deal with politics, government and elections in California.
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