California Plans Special Elections for Rezoning

California Governor Gavin Newsom is proceeding with plans for special elections aimed at rezoning. These elections are set for November.

In a recent statement, he mentioned, “We’re still on August 22nd. With the leadership behind me, they’ll get this by vote. We’re looking for a special election. It’ll be the first week of November.”

As reported, Newsom expressed the intention to hold a special election in November to approve a measure that would enable Democrats to finalize a new housing map before 2026. He emphasized the need to maintain the independent district change committee tasked with creating the map, stating, “We’re talking about emergency measures to address what’s going on in Texas. We’re going to override what’s going on in Texas.”

The anticipated costs for the election are estimated to exceed $200 million. A spokesperson from the Secretary of State’s Office indicated that the bill for the statewide election is expected to be over that amount. Most of the expenses are related to voting logistics and printing.

Jim Patrick, from the Secretary of State’s Office, noted, “Inflation has become quite wild over the past four or five years.” In one instance, a local registrar in Plumas County projected costs of around $65,000 for the November election, which is just a bit less than what was spent in 2021. “The costs are getting higher,” DeMartile explained, pointing out that paper, printing, and postage are all pricier now.

Additionally, election officials highlighted the challenges of securing voting locations and the need for enough volunteers to assist with in-person voting.

It’s worth noting that California shows strong support for Democrats, with only 17% of the state’s delegation being Republican.