Eric Swalwell Advocates for Vote-by-Phone Initiative in California Gubernatorial Race

Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., is promoting vote by phone as a key proposal in his campaign for California governor. Swalwell, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, introduced the idea during a weekend CNN interview, shortly after he entered the crowded Democrat race to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom next year. “If we can do our taxes, make our healthcare appointments, you know, essentially do your banking online, you should be able to vote by phone,” Swalwell stated, per the Washington Examiner. “Make it safe. Make it secure, but it’s actually already happening all over the United States.”

A handful of jurisdictions have tested limited forms of mobile- or phone-based voting, primarily for military and overseas voters. Pilot programs have been implemented in states such as West Virginia, Utah, Colorado, and parts of Alaska, but no state offers full vote-by-phone elections due to security, reliability, and auditing concerns. “I want us to max out democracy. Also, as it relates to democracy, if you wait in line for 30 minutes or more — if you do want to vote in person, I think you should fine every county for every minute that a person has to wait longer,” Swalwell told CNN on Saturday.

Swalwell officially announced his candidacy on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Thursday night. The lineup of Democrats vying to replace Newsom includes state schools chief Tony Thurmond, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former Controller Betty Yee, former Rep. Katie Porter, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Assemblymember Ian Calderon, businessman Tom Steyer, and executive Stephen Cloobeck. Republican candidates include Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. Los Angeles developer Rick Caruso is considering a bid as well. A Republican has not won statewide office in California since 2006, when then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger won reelection.

Trump has repeatedly mocked Swalwell over the years, calling him “lightweight,” and “total loser.” Trump has questioned his intelligence, ridiculed his failed presidential bid, and used the China-spy scandal to portray him as compromised — often dismissing him as irrelevant and desperate for attention. Swalwell launched a bid for president in April 2019, dropping out three months later. Mark Swanson, a Newsmax writer and editor, has nearly three decades of experience covering news, culture and politics.

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