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Senator Feinstein Urges Networks to Refrain From Calling the Presidential Election Before Polls Close in the West, Encourages California Voters to Cast Ballots

-Statement follows news reports that networks may call Presidential Election early-

San Francisco – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today urged the television networks to show restraint in making predictions on the Presidential Election before polls close on the West Coast. Senator Feinstein also urged all California voters to cast ballots today.

Following is Senator Feinstein’s statement:

“This Election Day marks an historic moment in our nation’s history. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and voter turnout in precincts across the country is expected to set records.

In California alone, we expect a record 13.6 million voters to cast their ballots. These voters will cast ballots for President, for local offices, for state Assembly and Senate, and for Congress. And they will decide critical ballot measures that will determine the future direction of California for years to come.

These include Proposition 1A, the high-speed rail bond; Proposition 3, to renovate and expand children’s hospitals; Proposition 5, which would divert tens of thousands of drug offenders from prisons and jails; and Proposition 8, which would ban same-sex marriage in California.

However, today’s morning papers carried stories indicating that the television networks may release their predictions of the Presidential Election outcome before polls close on the West Coast. This would be a disservice to the tens of millions of voters in the West, and I strongly urge the networks to delay any precipitous announcements until voters have had their full opportunity to vote.

It’s critical that all California voters have a say in all of these contests, including the ballot measures and contests for down-ballot offices. I strongly urge California voters to cast ballots today, regardless of any news on the Presidential Election that may come out before the polls close.”    

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