UPDATE:
President Trump took to Twitter to slam California Democrats and offer support to Garcia:
So in California, the Democrats, who fought like crazy to get all mail in only ballots, and succeeded, have just opened a voting booth in the most Democrat area in the State. They are trying to steal another election. It’s all rigged out there. These votes must not count. SCAM!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 9, 2020
Mike has my complete & total endorsement. We need him badly in Washington. A great fighter pilot & hero, & a brilliant Annapolis grad, Mike will never let you down. Mail in ballots, & check that they are counted! https://t.co/KMS62yCyfl
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 9, 2020
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) did the same:
California Democrats in full panic mode. Their #CA25 candidate is dreadful — a gaffe machine with no energy and no message. #CADems solution? Rig the election. We can’t let this happen, vote for @MikeGarcia2020! https://t.co/GIWrKmTNpU
— Kevin McCarthy (@kevinomccarthy) May 9, 2020
ORIGINAL POST:
California's 25th Congressional District became vacant last year when then-Rep. Katie Hill (D) resigned after the House Ethics Committee launched an investigation into her personal life. She was allegedly having an affair with her Legislative Director, Graham Kelly, and a throuple relationship with a female campaign staffer.
Democrats have worked hard to ensure that this district stays blue and they really are pulling out all of the stops. The Los Angeles Democratic Party late Friday evening asked the county register to add an additional voting center in the city of Lancaster.
"For the second time in just a matter of weeks, voters in Congressional District 25 are returning their ballots or headed to voting centers to cast ballots in a Special Election. This is also the second time since the introduction of voting centers that Dean Logan's Registrars office has failed to provide voting locations in areas with a predominantly Black or Latino voting base," L.A. County Democratic Party Chair Mark Gonzalez said in a statement. "Lancaster is the single most diverse part of the district, and yet the nearest voting center is nine miles away. Registrar Logan's Voting Center placement decisions need to be consistent with our state's focus on ensuring that every voter has the opportunity to exercise their right to vote, change their voter registration and more, especially in communities of color."
"I urge the Registrar's office to swiftly and safely add a voting location in the Lancaster area for the upcoming Special Election, ensuring that voting equipment is working properly, and that all center workers have PPE and are following proper safety guidelines," Gonzalez said. "The Registrar should also seriously consider building a diverse task force to identify future locations every election and ways to ensure that voters don't have to worry about how they're going to participate."
Registrar Logan gave into the Democrats' request and established a Lancaster voting location. The Registrar's office said this was done because of Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris' (R) last-minute request.
RELEASE: Lancaster Vote Center Available in Second Weekend of Voting for the May 12 Congressional District 25 Special General Electionhttps://t.co/ltUmaG24eX#LAvotes #CD25 #CongressgionalDistrict25 #Lancaster pic.twitter.com/H7AWlwYzFF
— Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (@LACountyRRCC) May 8, 2020
The National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC) explained the issue with ordering this voting center last minute:
Lancaster has the second highest percentage of Dems (45.6%) in #CA25 and has the second highest raw number of Dems in the district (22,092).
— NRCC (@NRCC) May 9, 2020
The city with both the highest percentage of Dems (46.3%) and raw number of Dems (42,972) is Palmdale, which already has an early voting center (which is a 10 minute drive from the center they just announced they’re opening in Lancaster).
— NRCC (@NRCC) May 9, 2020
Garcia pointed out the fact that Democrats waited until the last minute to ask for these polling locations.
1/@ChristyforCA25 and her liberal Dem allies didn’t say anything for weeks even though the polling places were in full view of the public. Even after every voter received a ballot, they are desperate and trying to change the rules to steal an election. We can’t let them succeed!!
— Mike Garcia (@MikeGarcia2020) May 9, 2020
2/The right to vote is sacred and something I fought to protect for nearly two decades. But our citizens should also expect a fair process free from political games.
— Mike Garcia (@MikeGarcia2020) May 9, 2020
President Donald Trump also made a point to remind his supporters in the district to vote for Republican Mike Garcia.
Vote @MikeGarcia2020 by May 12th! His opponent @ChristyforCA25 voted to fire teachers, and cut their salaries while bumping up her pay. Now she’s mocking our Great Vets! We need Navy Fighter Pilot Mike Garcia in #CA25! https://t.co/MEnGMvl8it
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 8, 2020
Garcia launched his campaign before Hill's ethics were called into question. He took issue with how she campaigned – as a moderate – and how she voted – as a progressive, which is why he initially jumped into the race. Now he's facing off with Assemblywoman Christy Smith (D) for Hill's old seat.
If Democrats were so worried about the lack of access to voting, why would they wait until the last minute to call for an additional polling location? Wouldn't that be considered during their "get out the vote" initiatives and planning?
It seems as though they're worried Garcia will come out victorious, especially with President Trump throwing his support behind the Republican candidate.
This post has been updated with additional information.
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