California voters passed Proposition 36, a new anti-crime measure with the goal of undoing a previous policy change that reduced sentencing that many voters hold responsible for spikes in crime across the state. Proposition 47 reduced many felonies to misdemeanors as well as increased the minimum value of stolen goods for a theft to qualify as a felony to $950.
For years — especially following 2020 — videos have circulated of California businesses being robbed and ransacked by groups of criminals, leading to many stores closing their doors and an overall decline in enterprise and quality of life for residents.
The measure, which will enact tougher penalties for repeat offenders, received overwhelming support from voters across the state despite substantial Democratic opposition. However, Kamala Harris distanced herself from the proposition, choosing not to back the measure despite its broad bipartisan support.
Breitbart News explains:
As Breitbart News reported, the ballot measure was strenuously opposed by Democrats, including Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who wanted to protect Proposition 47. But after opinion polls showed three-in-four California voters backed the measure, Newsom decided not to campaign against it.
Proposition 36, placed on the November ballot by anti-crime activists — over the objections of Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), would amend 2014’s Proposition 2014, which is widely blamed for setting off a retail crime spree in California.
Thus Harris has refused, for months, to say how she would vote on Proposition 36. Last week, her campaign said she had not studied it yet. This week, her campaign said it was too close to the election for her to make any comment.
In other anti-crime votes, Californians in Oakland and Los Angeles looked set to oust George Soros-backed, left-wing prosecutors who pursued radical criminal justice reform policies and presided over rising crime in their respective cities.
This is a significant development for the Golden State, because while Californians backed the Democratic candidate, they rejected the soft on crime ideology that has overtaken the Party.
Readers should also note that Trump had his best performance California so far, earning support from 40% of the electorate compared to 34% in 2020, and 32% in 2016. Harris won her home state by 57% whereas Joe Biden won by 63% and Hillary Clinton won by 61%.
