California voters turn away from progressive criminal justice policies

In a rebuke of progressive criminal justice policies, California voters on Tuesday rejected a lenient approach by some elected officials and also approved an anti-crime ballot question.

From Los Angeles to Oakland, election results showed that Californians are prioritizing public safety, in a shift toward more traditional approaches to crime prevention and prosecution.

Yet that shift also has sparked a debate about the future of justice reform in the state, with advocates expressing concern about a potential rollback of "hard-won" reforms.

In Los Angeles County, the nation's most populous county, Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor, defeated George Gascón in the race for county district attorney.

Gascón, known for a reform approach that reduced sentences and focused on alternatives to incarceration, faced criticism over perceived leniency.

"The voters of Los Angeles County have spoken and have said enough is enough of DA Gascón's pro-criminal extreme policies; they look forward to a safer future," Hochman said in a statement Wednesday.

Statewide, violent crime rose 15 percent from 2020 to 2023, and property crime showed a 5.5 percent increase, according to state Department of Justice data.

In Los Angeles County, the violent crimes and property crimes increased from 2022 to 2023.

Throughout his campaign, Hochman argued that Gascón's policies had compromised public safety, in particular by reducing penalties for juvenile offenders.

Gascón conceded the election but warned of a "rightward shift" not only in Los Angeles but nationwide. "The rightward shift across America last night is heartbreaking," Gascón said in his statement. "Democrats have a long road ahead, but the work is more vital than ever."

The rightward shift didn't extend to the presidential election, in which Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris got 57 percent of the vote in California compared with 40 percent for the Republican President-elect Donald Trump.

Voters statewide also passed Proposition 36, which reintroduced harsher penalties for repeat offenders. Under the measure, certain theft and drug-related crimes, including shoplifting and drug possession, could be classified as felonies for repeat offenders.

As of Thursday evening, 70 percent of the votes counted were in favor of Prop 36, with 54 percent of the vote counted.

At a polling site in Irvine, Orange County on Election Day, a group of Conservative Party supporters expressed concerns about safety and crime.

"We have children, and we work hard here; our choices today will impact the safety of our families. That's what matters most," said Meyaart, who spoke with China Daily after voting.

Another voter, James, a local business owner, said, "I want a safer city with less crime so that businesses like mine can thrive."

Opponents said that Prop 36 could lead to an increase in incarceration rates, potentially undermining years of reform focused on reducing prison populations and addressing what they argue are inequities in sentencing.

Some critics have contended that expanding penalties could disproportionately impact low-income communities and people of color, who historically have had higher rates of incarceration.

In Northern California, preliminary results indicated that both Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County DA Pamela Price were likely to be recalled by substantial margins. Both officials came under fire for policies that critics say failed to adequately address the region's rising crime.

As of Wednesday afternoon, election officials had tallied 233,000 ballots, with about 400,000 to 500,000 more, according to the Times-Herald of Vallejo, California.

In Oakland, Thao had campaigned on addressing the root causes of crime, such as homelessness and economic inequality, but was criticized by residents frustrated with a rise in property crime and violence.

Supporters of the recall argued that Thao's administration had failed to ensure public safety.

Opponents said that the recall would be an obstacle to addressing the root causes of crime.

"I don't have any regrets," Sheng told the media of her policies, at an Election Night gathering.

Price also faced criticism over policies some said were too lenient. Price's approach, which included reduced sentences and alternative sentencing for certain offenders, sparked the recall movement.

"This is a balancing act that voters and leaders must navigate," said Laura Espinosa, a political science professor at UC Berkeley. "California has been a leader in criminal justice reform, but rising crime has brought new pressure to find solutions that also address public safety fears."

Agencies contributed to this story.