On Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris chose not to disclose how she voted on a significant California ballot measure that aims to reverse recent criminal justice reforms in the state. During her campaign activities in Michigan, she confirmed having recently completed her mail-in ballot, which was being sent to California, but refrained from making any public statement regarding her stance on the initiative.
Harris, who has previously served as a district attorney in San Francisco, the attorney general of California, and a U.S. senator before being elected as vice president in 2020, stated, “I am not going to talk about the vote on that. Because honestly, it’s the Sunday before the election and I don’t intend to create an endorsement one way or another around it.”
The absence of a public endorsement on the initiative by the Democratic presidential nominee might expose her to criticism. Republican Donald Trump might perceive this as being lenient on crime, while some liberal voters might be disappointed with her silence against what they view as harsh anti-crime measures.
If approved, the initiative would classify repeat offenses of shoplifting as a felony and intensify penalties for particular drug-related charges, including those tied to fentanyl. It would also empower judges to mandate treatment for individuals with multiple drug charges. Advocates argue the measure is crucial to address gaps in current laws that complicate punitive measures against shoplifters and drug traffickers. Critics, including Democratic state leaders and social justice groups, argue that the proposal could result in the disproportionate incarceration of impoverished individuals and those struggling with substance abuse issues, rather than targeting organized crime leaders who orchestrate theft operations.
Crime-related issues dominate the current election cycle in California, where the San Francisco Mayor London Breed is engaged in a tough reelection battle against four Democratic challengers who fault her management of the city. Additionally, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price is facing a recall, and Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón is competing against a challenger critical of his progressive perspective on crime and punishment.
According to the Public Policy Institute of California, a nonpartisan research group, San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles witnessed a rise in shoplifting incidents from 2021 to 2022, although statewide rates remained below pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Meanwhile, commercial burglaries and robberies have increased in urban counties.
In the closing days of the 2024 campaign, Harris has been encouraging voters in key states to formulate a plan to vote with friends and family. However, her campaign team has avoided detailed discussions about when she would vote or her stance on the California ballot measure. Last month, she hinted to reporters that she might share her position on the initiative, though at that time had neither voted nor reviewed it.
In related news, the Fortune Global Forum is scheduled to take place on November 11 and 12 in New York City, featuring discussions with top business leaders, former government officials, and notable personalities.
