California Voices

Viewpoints from across California

A person stands at a podium smiling while speaking to a crowd, with large teal campaign signage in the background reading “Becerra for Governor.” Four other people stand on the left side of stage as they look towards the speaker.

If California’s race for governor is a stress test for democracy, it’s failing

The top-two primary system can produce chaos and disengaged voters. This year’s picks for governor are coming from a small share of voters.

By Daniel Wolf

A person smiles and applauds while standing in front of a large blue-and-yellow campaign sign. They wear a floral-patterned outer layer over dark clothing and are photographed outdoors in daylight.

Pratt out, Raman in: What Los Angeles voters can now expect in the mayoral race

Nithya Raman's success at making the runoff in the L.A. mayor's race means Karen Bass will need to answer difficult questions about high living costs and public safety.

By Jim Newton

A side-view of a person with short gray hair and wearing a black blazer, as look towards another person. A stage with red, blue curtains and a banner that reads "Voters Decide" can be seen in the background, alongside blurred people.

Mahan, Villaraigosa just learned why so few California mayors make the leap to governor

Few California mayors ever become governor. Their skills might be perfectly suited to the job, but those exact same skills, when exercised, may be precisely what makes voters wary of them.

By Robert Greene

A person wearing a baseball cap and a pink scarf over a white shirt places yellow flowers on a pile of other flowers on the concrete outside of a detention center. The person is inside a circle of people during a vigil around a flagpole outside the detention center.

Long after protests ended, this interfaith group rallies to remember LA immigrants taken by ICE

An interfaith group known as the "godmothers of the disappeared" meets weekly at the federal courthouse in Los Angeles to remember and advocate for the people detained by immigration authorities over the last year.

By George B. Sánchez-Tello

A close-up view an unidentifiable teenager holding cell phones in their hand as they hold a Starbucks drink and a shopping with the other hand. Another unidentifiable teenager also holding a cell phone is seen in the background.

Commentary

Why California must keep children 16 and under off addictive social media platforms

California lawmakers are considering making social media platforms with addictive features end — and not pursue — accounts of anyone younger than 16.

By Samuel Chapman • June 15, 2026

Journalists and television camera crews gather around a podium crowded with microphones during a news conference on a city sidewalk. A person at the podium reviews papers while reporters, photographers and members of the public look on.

Commentary

California lawmakers want to cut funds for local news at exactly the wrong time

California lawmakers are finalizing a budget that would cut aid for local newsrooms, walking away from a nascent effort to restore local reporting and build a more sustainable industry.

By Martin Reynolds • June 15, 2026

A person in prison clothing stands inside a metal mesh outdoor cage surrounded by chain-link fencing topped with razor wire. Additional caged enclosures and other incarcerated people are visible in the background within a prison yard.

Commentary

Survivors of sexual assault in California prisons should be freed

Prisoners who are sexually assaulted by guards often face retaliation. A survivor argues the safest option is to release them from prison.

By Elizabeth Lozano • June 13, 2026

Three green clothing donation boxes next to a street curb with piles of clothes and garbage on the ground in front of them, while a person wearing a white sports jersey grabs a handful of clothing.

Commentary

Fast fashion fills California’s landfills. Thankfully a recycling fix is in sight

A CA law holds clothing manufacturers accountable for adding to landfills, but it doesn’t deploy clothing bins, which can spur textile recycling.

By Mattias Wallander • June 12, 2026

A homeowner is ready to leave California after selling his single-family house in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles on March 5, 2021. Photo by Damian Dovarganes/AP Photoa

Commentary

California has a top-ranked economy. It’s also one of the nation’s most unequal

California scored high on the economy, mental health and children and families, but low on its labor force, inequality and the environment in a research project comparing states.

By Dan Walters • June 12, 2026

A person in a black suit gestures with their hands as they stand on a stage in front an audience. Other panelists can be seen in the background, along with a banner that reads “Affordability and Rural California.”

Commentary

If Xavier Becerra is California’s next governor, he’ll be a workhorse rather than a show horse

Odds are Xavier Becerra will win against Steven Hilton. Then as governor — and unlike Gavin Newsom — Becerra won't likely run for higher office while governing.

By Dan Walters • June 11, 2026

Two people in suits stand face-to-face on a stage in front of a crowd holding signs supporting voting rights and democracy. A podium sign in the foreground reads “Election Rigging Response Act.”

Commentary

Newsom handpicked a generation of California politicians. Can they help him run for president?

An entire generation of California elected officials owe their current jobs and their political prospects to Gavin Newsom.

By Robert Greene • June 11, 2026

People wearing black t-shirts stand in a line as they hold white and blue signs that say "keep our schools great!" and "no more delay- give us higher pay!" among other signs with custom writing.

Commentary

Two huge California unions clash over money, political clout this election season

A union representing teachers and one representing health care workers took opposing stances on several ballot issues and with candidates for California governor.

By Dan Walters • June 10, 2026

A sign labeled “Election Observers” with a QR code and observer handbook information is posted on a wall inside a polling location. A seated person is visible out of focus in the background.

Commentary

Egged on by Trump, right-wing ecosystem makes baseless claims of California voter fraud

As California's notoriously slow ballot counting continues, right-wing media and some Republicans are taking their lead from President Trump and claiming voter fraud, without any evidence.

By Dan Walters • June 9, 2026