DeMaio Voter Suppression Ploy Fails to Make the November Ballot

Plus: A Quick Look at the Propositions That Did Make It

California voters will be asked to vote on seven propositions this November, the fewest to appear on the ballot since 1994.

Reform California, Carl DeMaio’s political action committee went through the motions of getting an initiative on the ballot regulating the voting process for state voters. It didn’t make the cut, failing to get the required 997,139 signatures by May 18. It’s among the 50-odd propositions not appearing this year and didn’t make the list of propositions reporting 25% of the required signatures to the Secretary of State.

I don’t think DeMaio’s bunch ever really intended to get this initiative on the ballot. It’s likely just another performative endeavor undertaken for its publicity and fundraising potential. 

Reform California has been repeatedly criticized by conservative leaders for being self-serving and opportunist.

A majority of Republicans believe the 2020 election was stolen. Attempts by various organizations to persuade these voters otherwise –despite overwhelming evidence– have been futile. So they are there for the taking financially by political entities intent on building their bank accounts. 

An ongoing propaganda campaign challenging the legitimacy of American institutions has convinced this portion of the electorate that people with other values and beliefs are morally bankrupt and capable of anything. 

Reform California’s idea of voting reform started off with imposing a requirement for citizens to supply their entire social security number in order to register to vote and as a means of verifying existing registration.

There’s just one little problem with that idea, according to the Legislative Analyst's Office; such a requirement violates federal law prohibiting state and local governments from denying any right, benefit, or privilege provided by law because an individual refuses to share their social security number. 

The language for this Reform California proposal failed to include a “severability” clause, meaning that a court decision invalidating any one part of the law will make the entire act invalid. This is probably a clue pointing to the fact that they weren't really serious.    

DeMaio founded Reform California in 2003 to fight state taxes and mandates. The political action committee raised $1.2 million in 2021 and spent about $600,000, according to the California Secretary of State.

Following are thumbnail descriptions of the ballot initiatives California voters will see in the general election. Over $300 million has already been spent for and against these propositions, with most of that spent on the two sports betting procedures.

Proposition One: Following the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v Wade, the legislature put a constitutional amendment inscribing abortion rights at the heart of California law on the ballot. Special legislation allowed it to be designated as Prop One.

Proposition 26: Native American tribes’ measure making tribal casinos and racetracks the home for sports betting in California, and also allowing tribes to offer new games like roulette and craps. This is a huge deal for the tribes, who’ve built an economy largely funded by gambling. They already spent $73 million in support for this measure, against $36 million spent in opposition. And that’s just a start. 

Proposition 27: Corporate entities FanDuel and DraftKings are fighting for the right to oversee online sports wagering, gussied up with a promise to direct some of the proceeds to combating homelessness. Californians will be able to place bets through their computers and mobile apps. Opponents say passage of this act will create a near monopoly for the companies supporting it. $100 million has been spent thus far in support; $66 million has been spent in opposition.

Proposition 28: Twenty percent of California schools have a full-time teacher for traditional arts programs after years of budget cuts. This initiative would establish minimum funding for arts and music education in all K-12 public schools by annually allocating from the state general fund an amount equaling 1% of mandated state and local funding for public schools. Former LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner has spearheaded an effort that’s raised $7 million in support thus far. There is no organized opposition.

Proposition 29: I’m guessing SEIU-UHW believes the third time's the charm for a vote requiring physicians or nurses to be present during kidney dialysis. The companies with a near monopoly on dialysis centers, DaVita and Fresenius, have spent big money to win the first two rounds, winning roughly sixty percent of the vote each time. So far it’s $3.5 million spent in favor of the act and $2.2 million against.

Proposition 30: It’s a 1.75% wealth tax on personal income over $2 million for individuals or married couples, sponsored mostly by rideshare company Lyft, which would benefit from a larger pool of rebate money as it seeks to meet the 2030 mandate for an all-electric fleet. Monies would also go to building EV infrastructure and wildfire prevention. At this point $8.4 million has been raised in support of the measure. An unlikely coalition of the California Teachers Association and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association say they’re opposed, but have yet to report any fundraising.

Proposition 31: Big tobacco wants you to believe that a law banning flavored tobacco violates your civil rights, or some such nonsense. R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris have already contributed $27 million to protect their bottom lines. Former NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg & Kaiser have spent $7.4 million to defend the law.

I’ll have more to say on these ballot propositions as the election nears. Also, look for my handy-dandy election guide, to be published just about the time mail-in ballots go out. 

Email me at: WritetoDougPorter@Gmail.com