Legislative Republicans: Our leaders must write ballot argument opposing governor’s gerrymander scheme

Legislative Republicans have formally requested that Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R- San Diego) and Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-East Nicolaus) be appointed to write the ballot arguments opposing Governor Newsom’s “Election-Rigging Act” that will be printed in the Voter Information Guide this November.

State election code requires the Senate President Pro Tempore and the Assembly Speaker to select one member from each of their houses who voted against the measures on the floor to prepare the opposition ballot argument that will appear in the Voter Information Guide mailed to all voters.

“The governor and his fellow Democrats are absolutely abusing their power with this mad rush to the ballot,” said Senate Minority Leader Jones. Two-thirds of Californians disapprove. There has been zero transparency, zero accountability and zero respect for voters. How do they argue with a straight face that they’re saving democracy when the truth is they’re trampling all over it?”

“Who’s to say they won’t continue rigging the game by making sure watered down opposition arguments are presented to voters in the guide?” said Assembly Republican Leader Gallagher. “Voters need honest arguments in that guide so they can make an informed choice as to whether the governor’s election-rigging scheme is good for California, its citizens and democracy in general. To be clear: It. Is. Not.”

Republicans in the state Senate and Assembly unanimously voted to oppose Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8 (and its related measures Senate Bill 280 and Assembly Bill 604), the governor’s election-rigging proposal for a mid-decade redistricting process to be placed on the next statewide ballot.

Click here to read the request.