Gavin Newsom Postpones ‘State of the State’ as Prop 1 Too Close to Call

Of the more than 7 million votes counted, only about 20,000 votes separate a “yes” from a “no.” And the most shocking fact is that while Newsom spent a lot of money promoting a “yes” vote, opponents of Proposition 1 spent very little.

politiko report:

The disappointing outcome of Proposition 1 occurred during an election with extremely low turnout, despite not facing a funded opposition, and facing a second recall and having to make up for it. The situation is tough for the second-term governor, who is staring into the abyss of a huge budget deficit. By summer.

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Monday’s speech posed a challenge to Newsom on both a policy and political level. Prop. 1 is at the center of his broader agenda to stem the twin crises of homelessness and housing, and its potential failure would leave a gaping hole in society. Those plans seemed unprepared for him to deal with.

Then there is the issue of basing speeches on more extensively prepared texts, a perennial challenge for governors. Newsom has spoken openly about the effects of his own dyslexia in the past, and the uncertainty surrounding both Proposition 1 and the state budget has left him wondering how much time he has to prepare new materials by Monday. What was necessary became complicated.

California elections are known for taking a long time to count votes. The state has automatic voting by mail, with well-defined deadlines. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, but can be received up to seven days after the election.