On Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris chose not to disclose how she voted on a significant ballot measure in California, her home state. This measure seeks to reverse certain criminal justice reforms enacted in recent years. While speaking to reporters during her campaign in the pivotal state of Michigan, Harris confirmed she filled out her mail-in ballot two days before the election, which is now en route to California.
Harris, who has served as San Francisco’s district attorney, California’s attorney general, and a U.S. senator prior to becoming 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.” Her decision to refrain from taking a public stance on this high-profile initiative might expose her to criticism. Former President Donald Trump could potentially accuse her of being lenient on crime, while some progressive voters might wish for her to oppose what they view as harsh anticrime measures.
The measure, if approved, would elevate shoplifting to a felony for repeat offenders and increase penalties for certain drug charges, particularly those involving fentanyl. Judges would also gain the authority to mandate treatment for individuals with multiple drug offenses. Proponents argue the initiative is vital to address loopholes hindering law enforcement’s ability to penalize shoplifters and drug dealers. However, opponents, including Democratic state leaders and social justice groups, argue it would disproportionately impact impoverished individuals and those struggling with substance abuse, rather than focusing on organized groups exploiting others to commit theft for online resale.
California’s strategy toward crime remains a central theme in the current election cycle, extending beyond this ballot measure. San Francisco Mayor London Breed faces a challenging reelection against fellow Democrats who criticize her management of the city over her six years in office. Additionally, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price faces a recall election, and Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón is contending with a rival who criticizes his progressive crime policies.
Recent crime statistics indicate a rise in shoplifting incidents across the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles between 2021 and 2022, as reported by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California. Although shoplifting rates increased statewide during this period, they remained below pre-pandemic levels from 2019. However, incidents of commercial burglaries and robberies have grown more common in urban areas.
As the 2024 campaign reaches its final days, Harris has been encouraging Americans in key states to develop voting plans and participate in the upcoming elections. Until her recent comments, Harris and her campaign team refrained from detailing when she planned to vote and avoided discussing her stance on the California measure. In mid-October, she indicated she would eventually reveal her position once she had reviewed the measure.
In related news, an upcoming event promises to bring together leading minds from business and politics. The Fortune Global Forum will take place on November 11 and 12 in New York City, featuring discussions with Fortune 500 CEOs, former Cabinet members, global ambassadors, and seven-time world champion Tom Brady, among others.
