President Donald Trump went to Twitter Saturday to criticize the addition of a voting center in Lancaster in Tuesday’s special election to fill the congressional seat formerly held by Katie Hill.
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk announced Friday afternoon a voting center would be open at the Lancaster National Soccer Center from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday through Monday and 7 a.m.-8 p.m Tuesday.
“Governor @GavinNewsom of California won’t let restaurants, beaches and stores open, but he installs a voting both system in a highly Democrat area (supposed to be mail in ballots only) because our great candidate, @MikeGarcia2020, is winning by a lot. CA25 Rigged Election!” Trump tweeted Saturday.
The request to add a vote center came from Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris “late in the week and thanks to the city’s assistance the RR/CC was able to quickly accommodate the additional vote center,” according to Mike Sanchez, the public information officer for the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
Gov. Gavin Newsom had earlier ordered that all voters in the 25th Congressional District must receive a vote-by-mail ballot in an effort to protect public health and safety during the coronavirus outbreak.
Newsom had no connection to the addition of the voting center in Lancaster. The election was never a mail-in only election. There will be six vote centers open on Tuesday.
Santa Clarita Assemblywoman Christy Smith, the Democratic candidate, tweeted, “This president doesn’t want a majority African American, Latino community to vote. Is this the official position of his chosen candidate @MikeGarcia2020? In CA we believe in expansive voting rights. We also believe in states’ rights. Why don’t you Mr. President?”
Torunn Sinclair, a regional press secretary for the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee, tweeted, “Christy Smith should once again apologize to Mike Garcia and all minorities for her suggestion that they don’t have mailboxes to return the ballots Governor Newsom sent to them and every registered voter in the district.”
Garcia tweeted late Friday, “@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!!
“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.”
According to figures provided by Sinclair, 50,191 Republicans have cast ballots in the race, 45% of the total, compared to 39,230 Democrats (35%, 16,528 with no party preference (15%) and 4,946 from other parties (4%).
Trump endorsed Garcia on April 20, tweeting that the Republican “will be a tremendous fighter for the U.S. and the State of California.”
“An Annapolis graduate, he served our Country as a highly decorated Navy Fighter Pilot and will be a great Congressman (#CA25),” Trump tweeted. “Loves our Military, and Vets…”
The president also tweeted, “Turn your Ballots in now and track them, watching for dishonesty. Report to Law Enforcement.”
Smith finished first in the March 3 primary with 36.1% of the vote while Garcia was second with 25.4%.
The 25th Congressional District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, and portions of the northern San Fernando Valley, Antelope Valley and eastern Ventura County.
Hill, who was in her first term, resigned following the release of salacious photos online and allegations of an extramarital affair with a staff member.