MAGA thinks it's OK in elections, but campaigning is strictly forbidden

Fresno election officials say a MAGA hat is fine while voting, but anything bearing a candidate's name, picture or logo is against the law.

At a news conference Thursday, Fresno County County Clerk/Registrar Jams Kus, District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp and Sheriff John Zanoni reminded voters not to place their voters within 100 feet of a polling place. This includes ballot drop boxes and drive-thru locations.

This would violate two election laws (here and here). The distribution of campaign material is also a violation.

Poll workers will ask voters who are canvassing to stop or they will be turned away. Refusing to leave the house could result in law enforcement being involved.

Starting Saturday, all 53 voting centers will be open until Tuesday at 8 p.m.

Kus said there has only been one case where a voter was turned away because he refused to comply. Smittcamp said her office received a referral but declined to prosecute: “because the facts don’t necessarily rise to the level of a crime,” she said.

“We must be respectful of other constituents and our staff who provide you with a service. We want to help you vote the way you want to vote,” Kus said.

Kus said law enforcement is not expected to be stationed at polling locations.

Smittcamp also said intimidation is a crime.

“It is not your First Amendment right to threaten people,” Smittcamp said.

Renovation work in Radiopark put on hold

The Fresno City Council rejected offers to renovate Radio Park. City staff said only two companies bid on the project, and the lowest bidder's $10 million was 38% higher than staff's estimate of $7 million.

Because of its size, the project included a project labor agreement – a pact with local labor groups for union hiring. Unions say PLAs ensure projects are delivered on time and on budget.

The Coalition for Fair Employment in Construction – an anti-PLA group – said in a press release that the PLA was responsible for the oversupply and rejection.

The city staff report cited “concerns regarding underground utilities and the bidder's responsibility to avoid them as several serve the structure of the radio tower.”

Staff also said the tender for another unidentified large park limited the number of bidders.

The City Council voted 5-0 in favor of the consent calendar without discussion. Annalisa Perea, Mike Karbassi, Luis Chavez, Garry Bredefeld and Nelson Esparza voted in favor. Miguel Arias was not present for the vote and Tyler Maxwell missed the meeting.

Bids for the renovation of Radio Park in downtown Fresno were well above what the city is willing to pay. (GV Wire/Jahz Tello)

Downtown Auto Shop receives approval

A-1 Auto Electric wanted to expand into a vacant building across from its location on Stanislaus Street between M and N streets. Although the Planning Department agreed, Arias appealed to the Planning Commission.

The Planning Commission also approved the expansion, but Arias appealed to the City Council. Arias agreed with the move but expressed concerns about the YMCA building a block away, also owned by A-1 and used as storage property.

The YMCA closed in 2009. Part of the building has an “X” sign on the side, meaning it is not safe for firefighters to enter in the event of a fire. Arias wanted A-1 to take care of the YMCA building.

As a compromise, Arias supported plans for the A-1 extension across the street, with the owners submitting plans for a conditional use permit to repair the YMCA within 90 days. It ended 6-0.

A-1 Auto Electric received approval from the Fresno City Council to expand, provided the old YMCA building it owns is repaired. (GV Wire/David Taub)

Fresno Campaign Finance Reformers 0-2 in court

On Wednesday, Judge Robert Whalen rejected a second attempt by Fresnan's Fair Elections Interests to limit the window in which candidates can fundraise.

Appearing at the hearing were former candidates for Fresno County Supervisor Dion Bourdase and Assessor-Recorder Paul Dictos. Both failed to advance in the March primary. Councilman Garry Bredefeld made progress. Court documents showed he raised funds for his city account outside of the time frame permitted by FIFE.

The city charter states that candidates for city office – city council and mayor – can only fundraise from the beginning of the nomination period through the end of an election year. In 2018, the city attorney's office, citing new case law, argued that the limit was constitutionally unenforceable.

A 2018 attempt to get voters to codify that opinion failed, and FIFE wants the city to comply.

Whalen's ruling only affects the timing of a decision. He called on FIFE attorney Jared Gordon to schedule a court hearing on the merits of the case after the Nov. 5 election.

“Judge Whalen’s decision was not unexpected. Plaintiff’s case is without merit,” Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz told Politics 101.

FIFE member Dion Bourdase (left) chats with attorney Jared Gordon and Assessor-Recorder Paul Dictos after a judge ruled against them in a procedural hearing. (GV Wire/David Taub)

Live long and prosper

Today is Halloween and Councilman Mike Karbassi dressed up as Mr. Spock. City Manager Georgeanne White wore a Snow White outfit.

#Fresno Councilman: May the Force…um, live long and prosper@kmkarbassi pic.twitter.com/XCOqnrcKdV

— David Taub (@TaubGVWire) October 31, 2024