Elections

A person wearing a headscarf and face mask drops a pink ballot envelope into an official ballot drop box inside a voting center, with other voters visible in the background.

Politics

California Latinos take pride in casting ballots in person. ICE at polls could deter that

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has repeatedly warned, without evidence, that immigration agents could show up at polling sites the way they did at the launch for Proposition 50. Community members and local leaders say those fears are real.

By

Maya C. Miller

• October 27, 2025

A person wearing a red vest with the word “VOTE!” printed in multiple languages stands at the entrance of a hallway where voters fill out ballots at individual booths.

Politics

Trump’s DOJ is sending election monitors to California with voting on Prop. 50 underway

It's common to see election observers at voting stations, but generally less so for them to come from the federal government. Some from the Trump administration will be on the ground in several California counties next month.

By

Maya C. Miller

• October 24, 2025

A lawmaker, wearing a light blue suit and patterned tie, stands in front of a microphone, while surrounded by other lawmakers sitting at their desks inside a legislative room of the state Capitol.

Politics

It’s official: Scott Wiener is running for Nancy Pelosi’s seat in Congress

State Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco launched his campaign for former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s seat. His long–awaited announcement comes even as Pelosi demurs on whether she’ll retire or run for a 19th term.

By

Maya C. Miller

• October 22, 2025

A round campaign button reading “Vote Yes on Prop 50” lies on a table decorated with an American flag pattern, next to papers and a blue lanyard. The button includes the outline of California and smaller text about restoring checks and balances.

Politics

Supporters are way ahead in fundraising for Newsom’s Prop. 50, but the race remains close

Opponents of Prop. 50 want voters to resist gerrymandering. Supporters are doing everything they can to make the election about Trump.

By

Maya C. Miller

and

Jeanne Kuang

• October 21, 2025

A man speaks at a press conference behind a wooden podium with microphones, gesturing with one hand, while three other suited individuals stand beside him. Two U.S. flags are visible in the background, suggesting a government or congressional setting.

Politics

This city banned the Pride flag. Newsom’s maps would give them a progressive, gay congressman

Huntington Beach and its all-Republican city council have proudly led California’s conservative resistance. Now, if California voters approve Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to temporarily redraw the state’s congressional maps, the city would be represented by Rep. Robert Garcia, a gay progressive who leads Democrats on the House Oversight Committee.

By

Maya C. Miller

• October 20, 2025

Politics

Print CalMatters’ 2025 Voter Guide

We’ve created one-sheet versions of our 2025 Voter Guide so you can print, post or share them with other voters in your community.

By

Gabriel Hongsdusit

• October 15, 2025

A person talks while standing in front of podium while more people look watch him.

Politics

A well-known Sacramento Democrat is taking on this suddenly vulnerable California Republican

Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley has garnered his most well-known Democratic challenger yet in Dr. Richard Pan, the former state senator who once made national headlines for going toe-to-toe with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as California pushed to enforce school vaccine mandates.

By

Maya C. Miller

• October 14, 2025

A person stands at a voting booth in a public building, holding a small child on their hip while filling out a ballot. The booth has a bright yellow privacy shield, and large yellow posters with election rules are taped to the wall behind them. A door labeled “Room 265” and an evacuation plan are visible to the left.

Politics

Does Prop. 50 divide California communities? Depends how you measure it

Prop. 50 would enact a congressional map that helps Democrats, but a new analysis finds it doesn’t change Californians’ representation much on other measures.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• October 10, 2025

A person sits in front of a stack of pink ballot envelopes laid out on a table.

Politics

California voters could see faster election results under new state law

California is known for taking weeks to tally its ballots, causing uncertainty and frustration among voters. That could change with a faster turn-around under a new state law.

By

Nadia Lathan

• October 8, 2025

Various fairgoers walk through a fair group with a giant Ferris wheel in the background and multiple booths selling food. The photo depicts a busy scene of fairgoers enjoying various activities at a fair.

Politics

In the Central Valley, Prop. 50 is a fight between Newsom’s California and GOP’s Washington

The term “Proposition 50” doesn’t ring a bell with many residents of the rural San Joaquin Valley. But even some of the most disengaged voters say they’re familiar with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s push to redraw California’s congressional maps in response to Texas.

By

Maya C. Miller

• October 8, 2025