Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!
VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS’ POPULARITY PLUMMETS
Via David Lightman…
Vice President Kamala Harris’ popularity has sunk again.
The Democratic presidential candidate and former California U.S. senator had seen a modest rise in popularity during the campaign, and eventually won 48.4% of the popular vote, according to Associated Press.
Harris’ favorability got up to 49% during August, when Democrats held their national convention.
But a new Economist/YouGov poll, taken December 8 to 10, showed she was viewed favorably by 43% and unfavorably by 52%.
That was still better than President Joe Biden, who was seen favorably by 38% and unfavorably by 47%.
President-elect Donald Trump, who won the popular vote with 49.9%, got a 49% favorable response and 47% unfavorable.
SHOULD STATE LAWMAKERS BE SWORN IN BEFORE ELECTION RESULTS ARE FINALIZED?
Via Nicole Nixon…
California’s statewide election results will finally be certified tomorrow, more than a month after voting ended on Nov. 5.
Meanwhile, state lawmakers were sworn in on Dec. 2, days before county election officers were required to finish their counts.
In 2022, Democratic candidate Christy Holstege attended the Assembly’s new member orientation but found out later she had actually lost the race to Republican Assemblymember Greg Wallis by 85 votes.
Asked by The Sacramento Bee whether officials should be sworn in before all votes are counted, Secretary of State Shirley Weber — herself a former Assembly member — said it’s “an ongoing challenge” and her office is “discussing that with the Legislature now.”
Weber also said she sent a letter to all incoming lawmakers acknowledging that “they could actually be sworn in, but it meant very little until the certification occurred.”
Republican Assemblymember Joe Patterson responded on X: “The Constitution requires the legislature to convene the first Monday of December. We picked a speaker. Introduced bills, etc. Hard to say it means nothing.”
Weber and other Democratic officials have defended California’s slow vote count as a way to prioritize voter access and accuracy over speed.
“We take the time to get it right,” she said. “With more than 22 million registered voters, many of whom vote by mail, it’s critical to ensure that every vote is verified and counted accurately.”
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“When we began the (ballot counting) process, I said, ‘I hope we have a very boring election,’ and I am pleased to say in many ways we did.”
– California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, discussing the 2024 November election in a Wednesday press conference, via Nicole Nixon.
Best of The Bee:
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California economy faces ‘many new unknowns’ with second Donald Trump term, forecast says, via David Lightman.
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Kevin McCarty becomes the 57th mayor of Sacramento. Here’s what he said on his first day, via Mathew Miranda.
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New Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty, council postpone decision on city manager’s contract, via Mathew Miranda.
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State worker census shows gender pay gap still nags California’s public workforce, via William Melhado.
