“As elected county sheriffs, we know that our system of government depends upon public trust. In addition, the sheriffs raised concerns about the estimated cost of the statewide special election at a time when California faces a $10 billion to $20 billion annual deficit. There are reports that the special election is projected to cost over $282 million, including a $251.3 million request from the state finance director that would go to county election offices. “Those hundreds of millions now being spent on a special election could instead be used to build statewide treatment infrastructure — honoring both the letter and spirit of Prop. Monday’s letter from the sheriffs was released a week out from when registered voters are expected to start receiving their vote-by-mail ballots.