Harris won’t say how she voted for California measure that would reverse criminal justice reforms

Detroit – Vice President Kamala Harris declined to say how she voted Sunday. important voting measure In his home state of California, this would reverse criminal justice reforms approved in recent years.

Harris addressed a question about the ballot initiative in comments to reporters while campaigning in the battleground state of Michigan. He also confirmed that a mail-in ballot sent two days before Election Day was “on its way to California.”

“I’m not going to talk about the vote on this. Because, quite frankly, it’s the Sunday before the election and I’m not looking to create endorsements one way or another,” said Harris, a former San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general and U.S. senator before being elected vice president in 2020 he said. .

If approved, the initiative would make shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders and increase penalties for some drug charges, including those involving the synthetic opioid fentanyl. It would also give judges the power to order treatment for people with multiple drug charges.

Supporters said the initiative was needed to close loopholes in existing laws that make it difficult for law enforcement to punish thieves and drug dealers.

Opponents, including Democratic state leaders and social justice groups, said the proposal would disproportionately incarcerate poor people and those with substance abuse problems and target drug-using ringleaders instead. recruiting large groups of people to steal products they can resell online.

California’s approach to crime is a central issue this election cycle.

Beyond the polling measure, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, a Democrat, is fighting for re-election against opponents who say she is allowing the city to spiral out of control. Meanwhile, Alameda District Attorney Pamela Price faces a recall election and Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon He is running against an opponent who is critical of the incumbent government’s progressive approach to crime and punishment.

Crime data shows the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles are seeing a steady increase in burglaries between 2021 and 2022, according to a study by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California.

Shoplifting rates statewide increased over the same period but were still below pre-pandemic levels in 2019, with commercial thefts and robberies becoming more common in urban counties, the study says.

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Madhani reported from Washington.