Newsom Needs to Stay
by Susan Chandler
Chair, South Lake Tahoe Democratic Club
You will soon (if not already) be receiving a ballot in your mail on which you will be asked to recall our Governor, Gavin Newsom. VOTE NO!
You may conclude that because California is a “blue” state you need not worry about this recall. First, this recall election has been structured and timed to take full advantage of Democrats’ apathy. It is not an election year and it is not happening in a typical election month. The proponents of the recall know that because Democrats in California have a huge voter registration advantage, the only way Republicans can win a state-wide election is by energizing their small base when Democrat turnout is likely to be small
Governor Gavin Newsom has had a solid record as a strong leader in what can only be described as the most difficult times. I refer you to this up-to-date report card put together by CalMatters, a nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s State Capitol works and why it matters https://calmatters.org/explainers/newsom-recall-report-card/
For those of you dissatisfied with Governor Newsom, I still urge you to VOTE NO. The California recall and initiative system is a broken mess. And this recall, which is costing the state $276 million, is completely unnecessary when Newsom will be on the ballot for re-election next year. It is wrong by going against our own state constitution, in that the removal of the governor will not allow the lieutenant governor to assume the office. An opinion from the Dean of the U.C. Berkley law school can be read at the following link: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/11/opinion/california-recall-election-newsom.html
There are 46 people who have each paid $4,000 to get their name on the ballot to replace Gov. Newsom if he is recalled. This is a cheap way to bolster their name recognition. For others it is a tactic to get into the governor’s office without getting support from a large percentage of voters.
If you still need some convincing why you should VOTE NO consider:
- A yes vote will put Trump’s Republicans in charge of California.
- A GOP Governor would appoint a GOP Senator should one of ours have to step down. Feinstein is 88 years old.
- Governor Newsom is likely to sign almost every progressive bill passed by the Democratic-controlled legislature; a Republican replacement will not.
- Governor Newsom will continue to fight for environmental progress, clean energy and fire prevention.
- Governor Newsom will continue to fight to limit the spread of COVID; a Republican replacement will pander to anti-vaxxers and put us all at greater risk.
Please get all the facts pertaining to the recall from:
Check your voter registration status at: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/cavoter
The last day to register to vote in this election is August 30 although you can vote conditionally until Election Day.
Ballots will be mailed on August 16th. Election Day is September 14th. Voting centers will close at 8pm on September 14th and drop boxes will be locked at that time.
To view the official ballot go to https://www.edcgov.us/Government/Elections/Documents/Recall Ballot Instructions.pdf