Elections

With continuing concerns about political violence, a bill would allow candidates and elected officials to use campaign donations for security expenses. Gov. Newsom vetoed a similar bill last year.

A 2022 law limits campaign contributions to $250 to local elected officials from a donor with a license, building permit or other proceeding before the officials. Now there’s a bill to raise the limit to $1,000 and loosen other restrictions.

The Republican contender for U.S. Senate criticizes USC student encampments as acts of terrorism. Nearly 100 demonstrators were arrested on trespassing charges.

Republican Steve Garvey and Democrat Adam Schiff each raised more than $3 million between Feb. 15 and March 31. But Schiff started April with $4.8 million on hand — triple the amount in Garvey’s bank.

Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley jointly sue the city over its new voting requirement. Local voters approved the city charter change in March.

Two candidates seeking to become state senator for a new Inland Empire district say they’re avoiding culture war clashes to focus on bread-and-butter issues.

Because two candidates finished in an exact tie for second place, three Democrats will advance to the November election in the 16th Congressional District. It’s the first competitive three-way runoff since California adopted the top two system in 2012.

Reporters and the public rely on Cal-Access to track campaign fundraising, as well as how much is being spent by lobbyists. But the antiquated web portal probably won’t be replaced until at least after the 2026 statewide election.

Gov. Gavin Newsom made mental health a priority since he took office five years ago. The ballot initiative voters approved this week will provide billions of dollars to fund housing and treatment facilities for mentally ill Californians.

Fifteen days after the California primary, only 16 of 58 counties have finished counting votes. While election officials say they need time to verify ballots, two new laws could help speed up the count.