Elections

An older individual stands in a grocery store near a display of pre-packaged fruit containers on ice, selecting a pack of watermelon and other mixed fruits. The person is wearing a floral shirt under a dark vest. Behind them are avocados on sale, with a price sign for $2.49 per avocado. A shopping cart with a pineapple inside is visible nearby, along with other fresh produce such as cucumbers.

Elections

How inflation concerns could doom California’s proposition to increase minimum wage

Opponents of Proposition 32 to increase the statewide minimum wage to $18 an hour are running ads focused on the cost of living. Proponents are not reaching out to voters very much. And polls show declining support.

By Jeanne Kuang • October 24, 2024

Two people sit spaced apart at a long, wooden table in a conference room with "Fair Political Practices Commission" displayed on the wall behind them. The room is lit by several ceiling lights, and the setup includes microphones and nameplates for each individual. The California state flag and the U.S. flag are positioned to the side, next to a sign for the FPPC. The individuals appear to be reviewing documents or taking notes. The overall atmosphere is formal and administrative.

Elections

Tool: Explore candidates and elected officials investigated for campaign law violations

Use our tool to search through investigations opened by the state’s campaign law watchdog. The data updates weekly.

By Jeremia Kimelman • October 24, 2024

Four people, a mix of lawmakers and officials, sit behind a dais in a conference hall with attendees.

Show Your Work

How we investigated California’s campaign finance watchdog

Despite inconsistencies and flaws in the Fair Political Practices Commission’s enforcement data, we found 15% of investigations took more than two years to resolve.

By Jeremia Kimelman and Yue Stella Yu • October 24, 2024

A student enters Stege Elementary School in Richmond on Feb. 6, 2023. Photo by Shelby Knowles for CalMatters

Education

Inland Empire schools propose $3.6 billion in bonds

In addition to voting on $10 billion in state school bonds, Inland Empire residents will consider bonds for 22 school districts.

By Deborah Brennan • October 24, 2024

Three detainees in orange and red jumpsuits talk on wired telephones lined up against a wall at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in Adelanto on Aug. 28, 2019. Photo by Chris Carlson, AP Photo

Elections

California crime measure Prop. 36 could increase deportations

Ballot initiative would turn certain thefts and drug crimes into felonies, potentially helping expel some immigrants.

By Wendy Fry • October 22, 2024

A person in denim jeans, a brown sleeveless shirt and a blue baseball cap speaks into a bullhorn while addressing a crowd. The event is politically related and for canvassing purposes.

Elections

Why California Democrats believe abortion issue can win them back the U.S. House

Democrats are calling out Republicans on abortion rights in key California districts that could decide control of Congress, again. GOP incumbents say their views are being misrepresented.

By Jeanne Kuang and Jenna Peterson • October 21, 2024

A person in boots, denim jeans and a tucked in button up shirt stand in the middle of a dairy farm. The persons hands are set at their hips. The dairy farm is covered by a metal roof, and cows are visible in the far end.

Elections

Outside groups are spending millions in California’s swing U.S. House races. Will it make a difference?

Campaigns in California’s hottest congressional races are being boosted by outside groups. That money is on top of fundraising by the candidates, where Democrats are besting Republicans.

By Yue Stella Yu • October 18, 2024

A group of inmates dressed in orange uniforms and helmets are working together outdoors, bending down to manipulate a long metal rod in a dirt area surrounded by trees. In the foreground, a person in a beige police uniform is slightly blurred, observing the scene.

Justice

No one is fighting a proposition to ban forced labor in California prisons. Why it could still fail

Supporters of a proposition to ban forced labor in California prisons believe they have a strong message centered on rehabilitation. But as Election Day nears, polls show it's a toss-up or trailing.

By Joe Garcia • October 17, 2024

Illustration of the back of a person sitting in front of a judge; to the left of the judge, there is a vignette of a person standing in a cell; to the right, there is a line of people wrapping around a medical building

Justice

California ballot measure promises ‘mass treatment’ for drug crimes. Can counties provide it?

Prop. 36 pledges to send more people convicted of drug possession to treatment instead of prison. Behavioral health directors say that's easier said than done with workforce shortages across the state.

By Cayla Mihalovich • October 16, 2024

An image of protesters holding pink and white signs that read "BANS OFF OUR BODIES" during a march in support of abortion rights. The photo is focused on the signs and the bottom of the frame is filled with people.

Elections

Abortion isn’t on the ballot in California, but state candidates can’t stop talking about it

Democrats in key legislative races say that abortion rights are under threat nationally so it’s a relevant issue. It could also be a winning issue.

By Alexei Koseff • October 15, 2024