Vice President Kamala Harris recently sidestepped a question about California’s Proposition 36, a ballot measure that would impose stricter penalties on repeat offenders of drug and theft crimes. Reporters pressed Harris on her stance while she campaigned in Michigan, but she declined to give a definitive answer, stating, “I am not going to talk about the vote on that…I don’t intend to create an endorsement one way or another around it.”
Proposition 36 aims to reverse some of the leniencies of Proposition 47, a reform measure from 2014 that downgraded specific nonviolent offenses, including theft and certain drug crimes, to misdemeanors if they involved goods worth less than $950.
If passed, Prop 36 would upgrade crimes like repeat shoplifting and fentanyl offenses from misdemeanors to felonies, cracking down on habitual offenders. While this measure is popular among Californians who see it as a necessary response to rising crime, it’s met with resistance from progressive Democrats, including Governor Gavin Newsom.
🚨 Kamala was just asked how she voted on California’s Proposition 36, which would increase criminal penalties for shoplifters and drug traffickers:
“I am not gonna talk about the vote on that because, honestly, it’s the Sunday before the election.”pic.twitter.com/3wlkWkM0Ax
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) November 3, 2024
For Harris, the question surrounding Proposition 36 cuts close to her own record on criminal justice. As a former prosecutor and Attorney General in California, Harris has had a complex history with crime policy. During her campaign, Republicans have repeatedly highlighted her perceived leniency on crime, pointing to cases where criminals released from California’s justice system have gone on to reoffend.
Her opponents argue that her hesitation on Prop 36 reflects an unwillingness to adopt a firm stance on crime at a time when public safety is a top voter concern.
In a similar move in 2014, Harris avoided publicly endorsing Proposition 47, which sought to reduce sentencing for nonviolent drug offenses. This measure redirected funds toward treatment and rehabilitation, a move that has since been blamed by critics for leaving retail stores vulnerable to theft.
Harris’s reluctance to comment on Prop 36 now mirrors her earlier approach, opting to maintain a neutral stance on California’s criminal justice measures.
As the election nears, Harris faces increasing pressure to clarify her position. Her swing state tour has boosted her poll numbers, with the New York Times showing her leading in all but two battleground states and a surprising lead in traditionally conservative Iowa. However, the question of crime remains a focal point, and with prominent companies like Walmart and In-N-Out Burger supporting Prop 36, there is a strong public push for tougher crime policies.
