Elections

Poll workers use tongs to collect ballots and hand out stickers at a curbside voting location at Alameda County courthouse on Nov. 3, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Elections

Which California county voted the most? The least? Let’s compare

California voters are as diverse as its geography, from mountain ranges to valley farmland to forests and beaches. So a look at official voting results released this month shows notable differences in who turned out, how we voted, and where we voted. More than half of California’s record 17.8 million ballots cast came from just […]

By

Michael Lozano

• December 21, 2020

A steady flow of Sonoma County voters went to the polling place at Petaluma’s Community Center in Lucchesi Park to cast their votes on Nov. 3, 2020. Photo by Crissy Pascual, Argus-Courier staff

Elections

Hills above Santa Rosa harbor peacocks, foxes — and some of California’s most engaged voters

Nine of ten registered voters cast ballots in Sonoma and Marin counties in Northern California, making them the state’s highest turnout counties in the November 2020 election. Their competition? A Sun City Palm Desert precinct, where turnout reached almost 96%.

By

Lewis Griswold

• December 16, 2020

Politics

If he had a home, he might have voted

CalMatters talked to a handful of the 4.3 million Californians who chose to sit out this year’s election to find out why, given 17.8 million set a record by voting in November. Joseph wanted a home and time to study the propositions.

By

Michael Lozano

• December 15, 2020

Elections

My vote wasn’t going to affect the outcome

CalMatters talked to a handful of the 4.3 million Californians who chose to sit out this year’s election to find out why, given 17.8 million set a record by voting in November. Gabe Kim, a college student at Humboldt State, said he doesn't feel ostracized for not voting.

By

Freddy Brewster

• December 14, 2020

Thousands gathered to support democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders at a campaign rally at Craneway Pavilion in Richmond, CA on February 17, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Elections

He wanted Bernie for president so he didn’t vote

CalMatters talked to a handful of the 4.3 million Californians who chose to sit out this year’s election to find out why, given 17.8 million set a record by voting in November. Sergio Berrueta, a student at Humboldt State and a Bernie Sanders supporter, said he didn't like President-Elect Joe Biden or President Donald Trump so chose not to vote.

By

Freddy Brewster

• December 14, 2020

Elections

How Votebeat analyzed the election data

Editor’s note: Votebeat analyzed state and local voting data, using U.S. census data for context, to examine which voting blocs and counties drove the record ballots cast in the general election. Here is how we did the analysis. Statewide data on ballots cast, registered voters and voter turnout were obtained from the California Secretary of […]

By

Phillip Reese

• December 10, 2020

A voter exits a polling place in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles on Nov. 3, 2020. Photo by Tash Kimmell for CalMatters.

Elections

Poor and diverse voters fuel California’s record ballots cast

California’s decision to mail a ballot to every registered voter resulted in record ballots cast in the general election — but it was poor and diverse communities that fueled the increases.

By

Phillip Reese

and

Lewis Griswold

• December 10, 2020

Elections

Meant to clarify, BallotTrax confused some voters

Before 2020, the unassuming “I Voted” sticker was enough to satisfy most voters that their ballot had passed into trusted hands. But this past election, amid California’s plunge into mail-in voting and the Trump administration’s baseless claims of election fraud, the state offered higher-tech assurance: ballot updates sent to voters’ phone and email by BallotTrax, […]

By

Aaron Leathley

• December 8, 2020

Poll workers prepare the voting center at Lake Forest Sports Park for Friday’s opening on Wednesday, October 28, 2020. Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG

Elections

Orange County staff planned election details down to the “I Voted” stickers

CalMatters talked to volunteer poll workers and full-time staff in the aftermath of November’s contentious election to see how their work differed from past elections. Election staff Tiffany Nevarez, Enedina Chhim and Roxana Castro say they enjoyed problem-solving their way past this year’s hurdles in Orange County.

By

Michael Lozano

• December 7, 2020

Cheri Provancha, center, denies Christopher Rickman access to the polling place at the old Sears building on November 3, 2020. He was told the shirt’s wording violated federal electioneering law. Photo by Ron Holman, Visalia Times Delta

Elections

Retired colonel keeps the peace at Tulare County polling place

CalMatters talked to volunteer poll workers and full-time staff members in the aftermath of November’s contentious election to see how their work differed from past elections. Poll worker Cheri Provancha of Tulare County used her military experience to keep things orderly at the polling place.

By

Lewis Griswold

• December 4, 2020