Elections

Under a California campaign finance loophole, the committee Californians Allied for Patient Protection is not required to list three industry groups that contributed $49,000 each as "major funding" sources. Illustration by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters. Elements via iStock and YouTube

Elections

Last-minute special interest cash pours through California’s $50,000 loophole

It's a California campaign finance loophole big enough to drive a $50,000 truck through — and how special interests avoid revealing they're paying for ads.

By Ben Christopher • March 1, 2020

All the James Bonds are on display in Madame Tussaud's in Berlin, Germany — but our video will take the mystery out of the bonds on your California ballot. Photo by: Britta Pedersen/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

Elections

Bonds demystified: Watch what a bond measure is, in under 2 minutes

Our video covers the basics you need to know to size up any bond not numbered 007.

By Byrhonda Lyons and Judy Lin • February 29, 2020

In this June 5, 2018, file photo, election workers Heidi McGettigan, left, Margaret Wohlford, center, and David Jensen, unload a bag of ballots brought in a from a polling precinct to the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters office in Sacramento, Calif. Photo by Rich Pedroncelli, AP Photo

Elections

Delayed and Confused: Will California’s election rules lead to an Iowa-style snafu?

Less than a week out from California’s March 3 primary, campaigns and election administrators here are sweating the small stuff.

By Ben Christopher • February 26, 2020

Sebastopol residents Joseph Mastrolia and his children Domino, 13, left and Talulah, 11 cheer during a Bernie Sanders campaign rally in Richmond, CA on February 17, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Elections

If California polls hold, only Bernie Sanders would win any delegates chosen by statewide vote

No one else is averaging above a 15% statewide threshold. But that could change — and presidential candidates can also pick up delegates within congressional districts.

By Ben Christopher • February 25, 2020

A hand holding a fistful of hundred dollar bills. With California's 2020 primary fast approaching, outside spending on California legislative campaigns is ramping up. Photo via iStock

Capitol

Brace for the deluge: Special interests are spending millions to get the California legislators they want

Nearly half of all unlimited outside spending comes from old-guard industries: Oil and gas. Realtors. Car dealers. Also some rich folks.

By Ben Christopher • February 20, 2020

Jennifer Jennings, at her home in Long Beach, has made small donations to presidential Bernie Sanders over and over again. She is among the 20 Californians who have given most frequently — some daily — to 2020 presidential contenders. Photos by Iris Schneider for CalMatters

Elections

Presidential candidates to California’s small donors: Give us our daily bread crumbs

Meet the people who've sent the 2020 presidential candidates small campaign contributions — hundreds of times. These add up. Just ask Bernie Sanders.

By Elizabeth Castillo • February 11, 2020

Presidential candidates are touting endorsements they've received from California politicians known and relatively unknown. Illustration by Anne Wernikoff, elements by Gage Skidmore via Flickr and PeskyMonkey/iStock

Elections

Do endorsements for president even matter?

The race for California endorsements has ratched up. Taken for granted by campaigns is a debatable premise — that these imprimaturs make a difference.

By Ben Christopher • February 6, 2020

This map depicts how much each presidential candidate collected in itemized campaign contributions from each zip code in California.

Elections

The presidential contest for California cash, in 6 data visualizations

Who raised the most from California's donor class? Who relies most on the Golden State's largesse? You've got questions, we've got graphics.

By Ben Christopher • February 4, 2020

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., is joined by California delegates during the second day session of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Tuesday, July 26, 2016.

Politics

How California counts delegates, explained

Many voters are confused by how the delegate system works. In our short video, we explain how delegates are counted in California's presidential primary.

By Byrhonda Lyons and Ben Christopher • January 30, 2020

Man standing near a wall casting a shadow of an elephant and a donkey

Elections

‘Dirty tricks’ or ‘conspiracy theories’? California’s primary rules beget mind-bender campaigns

A Central Valley state Senate race is the latest oddball illustration of how California's "top two" primary can distort the field, confuse voters and raise suspicions.

By Ben Christopher • January 27, 2020