Gavin Newsom Wants Taxpayers to Cover $200 Million Cost in Rush to Redraw California Districts for Democrats

California Legislature Faces Deadline for Election Proposal

The California Legislature is under pressure as Friday marks a deadline for approving a proposed measure for the November election introduced by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Newsom unveiled what he calls the “Election Rigging Response Act” during a press conference on August 14, and he’s reiterated his stance multiple times since then. He stated that the state would cover the costs incurred by counties for the election. However, some California counties are worried about potential delays and whether they might have to wait for state reimbursement after the election concludes.

County officials have raised concerns that budget strains, especially on resources meant for the sheriff’s department and wildfire prevention, could be a result of the unexpected financial burden imposed by the special election.

“The additional costs associated with statewide special elections will almost entirely impact the county, creating a substantial, unfunded financial strain on local budgets,” the California County Association highlighted in a letter to the governor and Democratic leaders.

As of now, the California Department of Treasury hasn’t decided how much financial assistance it will extend to counties for covering election costs. A spokesman indicated that legislation under consideration could potentially lead to advance funding for the counties.

In response to these uncertainties, the Republican Caucus of the California Legislature released a report estimating the costs associated with a gerrymandered vote for a special election could reach as high as $235.5 million. This estimate was based on the previous California Governor Recall Election in 2021, which cost taxpayers around $200 million, while factors like inflation and increased voting costs were considered.

Unlike the recall situation, where months of signature gathering allowed for preparations and pre-funding, the timeline for securing the necessary resources for the upcoming election is considerably tighter. Counties need to ensure machines, ballots, and volunteers are ready, but some, like Orange County, have already started their planning. Officials are worried that waiting for official confirmation may result in a delay in receiving vital supplies.

If the proposed special election moves forward, it may have unintended consequences for Newsom and the state’s Democratic legislature. A poll from August 14 suggests only 36% of Californians back the commission’s current plan to regain control over state redistricting.

Additionally, Newsom has introduced the “Election Operations Response Act,” proposing a House map that could potentially afford the Democrats five seats, in reaction to Texas’s Republican-led Congress. Notably, Texas does not require a voting initiative for mid-redistricting approvals from the state legislature, contrasting California’s procedures.