Elections

What you need to know about voter fraud in California

While there aren’t widespread problems, officials are ramping up efforts to protect the 2022 election.

By

Sameea Kamal

• October 10, 2022

State Treasurer Fiona Ma is interviewed at the CalMatters offices on Sept. 28, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Elections

What would Fiona Ma do next as California treasurer?

In a nearly hour-long interview with CalMatters, state Treasurer Fiona Ma talks about her accomplishments on housing, her priority to fix up local fairgrounds, and what she's doing differently after a lawsuit from a former employee.

By

Sameea Kamal

• October 4, 2022

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento on Sept. 12, 2022. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

Elections

Hope and prayer: California churches battle abortion ballot measure

Religious opponents of abortion, led by the Catholic Church, are mobilizing against Proposition 1 on the Nov. 8 ballot. But the numbers in fundraising and in the polls are against them.

By

Alexei Koseff

• October 3, 2022

Candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction Lance Christensen is interviewed at the CalMatters offices on Sept. 26, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

K-12 Education

What would Lance Christensen do as California schools superintendent?

Parent advocate? Culture warrior? In a nearly hour-long interview with CalMatters, Lance Christensen, the challenger for California schools superintendent, vows to put students first and give parents a bigger voice.

By

Joe Hong

• September 30, 2022

Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis gives an interview at CalMatters on Sept. 19, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Politics

What would Eleni Kounalakis do next as California lieutenant governor?

In a 50-minute interview with CalMatters, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis talks about what she can and can't do in the job on higher education, income inequality, offshore oil drilling and other issues. She also discusses her political ambitions.

By

Alexei Koseff

• September 22, 2022

Sacramento city councilwoman and Democratic State Senate candidate Angelique Ashby talks to speaks at a campaign event in Sacramento on Sept. 10, 2022. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

Politics

Will women rule in the 2022 California election?

California voters elected a record 50 women to the state Legislature in November. It has been a long, tough road to more power.

By

Sameea Kamal

and

Ariel Gans

• September 21, 2022

The state Capitol in Sacramento, Calif. on Aug. 22, 2022. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

Politics

‘Close to the line:’ California’s top campaign finance watchdog wants a deeper look at donor network

The Fair Political Practices Commission's enforcement staff declines to open an investigation into Govern For California, but its chairperson wants a broader review of the network’s fundraising model.

By

Alexei Koseff

and

Ben Christopher

• August 26, 2022

Sonja Shaw is running for a seat on the Chino Valley School Board in the Inland Empire. “I’m running because I want to make sure that parents have a voice on the board, and to preserve the rights of a parent,” Shaw said. “During the shut down, parents were pushed out, and we have had enough—these are our children, our future.” August 14, 2022. Photo by Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters

Politics

Back to school: California Republicans bet big on local board races

Shut out from winning statewide offices, the state GOP is seeking to capitalize on parents' anger to win local school board races in 2022 and motivate Republican voters. The party's "Parent Revolt" program is its most ambitious school board candidate recruitment and training program ever.

By

Sameea Kamal

• August 17, 2022

The state Capitol on June 24, 2022. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Elections

Force multipliers: How one donor network is pushing the envelope on California campaign money

Govern For California is using a network of local chapters to amplify the influence of its donors on legislative races. Among the biggest beneficiaries so far is Assemblymember Robert Rivas, who wants to become the next Assembly speaker.

By

Ben Christopher

,

Alexei Koseff

and

Jeremia Kimelman

• August 4, 2022

Elections

Is it too easy for write-in candidates in California elections?

In California elections, it only takes a handful of signatures and votes for legislative write-in candidates to get on the November ballot. Eleven made it this year, though some won very little support.

By

Sameea Kamal

• July 28, 2022