Desperation has driven Gov. Gavin Newsom to adopt some shady tactics to try to rescue his pet project, Proposition 1, from this year’s primary ballot. He’s already delayed his “state of the state” address because he cannot claim victory on Prop. 1… yet.

With votes still being counted, the “yes” side leads by only 20,000 votes out of 7.5 million counted, 50.1% to 49.9%. In fact, out of all the votes reported after election night, the margin is even tighter: just 50.08% in favor. A few hundred thousand remain to count.

Most critically, tens of thousands of voters had their mail ballots rejected, but they could be reinstated and counted. These ballots could make the difference.

This is where Newsom’s team is gaming for partisan advantage. The governor’s campaign has spent money on many fronts to help Democrats whose ballots were disqualified. Only Democrats, because they were slightly more supportive of Prop. 1.

Shouldn’t a governor stand for counting all the votes in his state?

Remember the Bush vs. Gore presidential election in Florida in 2000. The governor’s tactics on Prop. 1 today are a sleazy echo of that attempt to manipulate the final vote count. Gore’s campaign asked for “recounts” only in heavily Democratic counties – not statewide – hoping to gain votes. The Supreme Court stopped the madness, and Al Gore lost.

Any California voter whose mail ballot was rejected this year can get it counted, if they act soon. If a voter failed to sign the ballot envelope, or their signature didn’t seem to match what’s on file with their county, the ballot is held in limbo. Counties notify voters and send a form for the voter to attest that it really was their ballot, and that they haven’t voted twice. Sign and return that form – by email is OK – and the ballot will be counted.

My group opposed Prop. 1, but right now we simply want to see all votes counted. It’s about the legitimacy of this vote, up or down. If your ballot was rejected, be sure to reply to the county notice you received. If you’re not sure if your ballot was counted, or if you need the forms to sign, go online to prop1no.com. We have resources to help.

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Why is the governor fighting so hard, in such partisan fashion, over a ballot measure? The battle over Prop. 1 is partly about the substance, and partly about Gov. Newsom’s political future. Prop. 1 includes both a $6.4 billion bond and major changes – including cuts – to mental health services funding. Gov. Newsom championed Prop. 1 so he could show himself “doing something” about homelessness.

Newsom spent $21 million on his campaign, even running a Super Bowl ad. He was often the campaign’s “star.” Our opposition campaign was all-volunteer and barely raised $2,000. Still, our little mouse almost took down the bear.

Now Prop. 1 has come down to the final votes among nearly 8 million, and the governor is playing tricks.

It’s a bad look that makes all of Gov. Newsom’s rhetoric about democracy ring hollow. Come on, governor, let’s count all the votes. What is there to be afraid of?

Paul Simmons is a director of Californians Against Proposition 1.