Elections

California voters shot down a tax on billionaires' assets but said yes to a high-income tax. They were just two of the five tax questions on the ballot.

After a tight race, Californians sided with Democratic leaders, approving their proposed change to the recall process. The recall will take place in two parts: first, whether an official should be recalled, then, who should replace them.

CalMatters analysis of campaign finance contributors helped uncover some of the major influences behind the propositions on Californians’ ballots this year.

Billionaires spent $378 million to defeat Prop. 40, exposing a rift among California Democrats on taxing the rich.

New tech-backed super PACs spent tens of millions of dollars boosting some Democrats over their more progressive opponents. Almost all of their favored candidates won their contests, despite voters’ broad distrust of AI and billionaires.

Shasta County has refused to release a subpoena it allegedly received regarding June 2026 election results. CalMatters is suing to obtain a copy of the document.

California billionaires put Prop. 42 on the ballot to counter a proposed wealth tax. It passed, creating a new obstacle to future wealth taxes.

Democrats notched big wins across the country, even in deep red districts that Republicans in Texas, Florida and North Carolina had gerrymandered to benefit their own party. That begs the question — did California really need to toss aside its independent redistricting commission?

The only California county having problems counting ballots is Shasta, which has an election office run by Clint Curtis, one of Trump’s election deniers.

Unlike his predecessor, Democratic Gov.-elect Xavier Becerra has made few promises on the campaign trail and only hinted at certain policy priorities.