Two days before voters render judgment on Vice President Kamala Harris, the former California Attorney General isn’t tipping her hand on one of California’s top issues on the ballot.
The Golden State, a wasteland for the Presidential contest, will feature voter decisions on toughening criminal penalties weakened through 2014’s Prop. 47, a decriminalization effort that was placed on the ballot while she was the state’s top cop.
Driving the news: While campaigning in Michigan, Harris chose not to reveal her position on the ballot initiative, highlighting that it was the Sunday preceding the election, and she did not want to influence the endorsement in any direction.
- Harris, a former district attorney of San Francisco, California attorney general, and U.S. senator, indicated that she had just filled out her mail-in ballot, which was en route to California.
- The move exposed Harris to criticism from both Republicans, who could perceive her as lenient on crime, and left-leaning voters advocating for stronger opposition to what they view as severe anti-crime measures.
What’s in Prop. 36? The ballot measure proposes reclassifying shoplifting as a felony for repeat offenders, increasing penalties for certain drug offenses, such as those involving fentanyl, and empowering judges to mandate treatment for individuals with multiple drug charges.
- Supporters of the initiative argue that it is essential to address gaps in existing laws, making it challenging for law enforcement to combat shoplifting and drug crimes effectively.
- In contrast, opponents, including Democratic leaders and social justice organizations, argue that the proposition unfairly targets low-income individuals and those struggling with substance abuse issues rather than addressing the higher-level orchestrators behind criminal activities.
