Elections

A car parked at a pro-Trump rally in Palm Desert, CA, November 1, 2020. Photo by Clara Mokri

Elections

California facing a “moderate” risk from right-wing militias

Just five days ahead of Election Day, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra issued a bulletin to law enforcement about state laws that prohibit voter interference and intimidation. But how likely is it that voters will face threats, or even violence? And where? California has been identified as one of the states with a “moderate” risk […]

By

Nahima Shaffer

• November 3, 2020

Elections

California election day 2020: The vote is in

Today’s the day, and CalMatters has a contingent of Votebeat reporters deployed around the state to bring you round-the-clock coverage of the 2020 Election. More than 11.2 million Californians voted early. Everyone else will cast their ballots in person today and we will be watching how that works, from the count, to any voting interference, […]

By

CalMatters Staff

• November 3, 2020

A frazzled woman at a computer is surrounded by thought bubbles of voting charts, candidates and ads. Nerves are frazzled, anxiety is high. Here's a survival guide with clues to how to watch returns on election night in California. Illustration by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters; iStock; White HouseIllustration by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters; iStock; White House

Elections

How not to freak out: A user’s guide to awaiting California’s election results

Buckle in for a long count, remember that margins and geography matter, look for these clues — and prepare to wait days on close races.

By

Ben Christopher

• November 3, 2020

Elections

Live: California election results 2020

Track how California has voted in the 2020 election, including for president, Congress, the Legislature and 12 state propositions.

By

John Osborn D'Agostino

• November 3, 2020

Elections

California’s teen voters more engaged, want to make a difference

More California teens are registered to vote this year than in 2016, reflecting higher engagement and a determination to make a difference.

By

Michael Lozano

• November 2, 2020

Elections

The last of the early voters

From the time Geoffrey Bara parked his car to the moment he walked out of the Agoura Hills Courtyard Hotel with an ‘I Voted’ sticker, only seven minutes had passed. Bara is one of many voters choosing to visit a polling place in the final days of voting across California. Twelve million people have voted […]

By

Zachary Fletcher

and

Ley Heimgartner

• November 2, 2020

Trump supporters hold a rally on an overpass over route 24 outside of Walnut Creek on Oct. 31, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Elections

Pro-Trump caravans draw crowds and concerns

Up and down the state from Humboldt to Riverside counties, supporters of President Donald Trump took to the streets in cars, trucks and other vehicles on the last weekend before election day. In caravans labeled the “Red Wave,” they were honking and yelling out their support for the president’s reelection. In at least one case, […]

By

Freddy Brewster

and

Katie Licari

• November 2, 2020

Oakley resident Gwendolyn Ward extracts ballots in Martinez on Oct. 31, 2020. Ward has been a poll worker and ballot extractor for more than 10 years. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Elections

Here’s what record early returns mean for speed of California’s vote tally

More than 11 million ballots had been returned to California elections departments as of Saturday. Many already have been processed, and are ready to be quickly totaled on election night. Look for early returns by 8:30 p.m.

By

Lewis Griswold

and

Aaron Leathley

• November 2, 2020

A stack of mail-in ballots on a table at a ballot extraction facility in Martinez on Oct. 31, 2020. By Halloween, Contra Costa County had already received more ballots than the total number in the March primary. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Elections

In Norman Rockwell country, everyone votes by mail

As of Sunday night, 70 percent of voters in Plumas County had returned their ballots. The figures were similarly high in Alpine and Sierra Counties, hovering near 65 percent and dwarfing the statewide average of 49 percent. What do Plumas, Alpine and Sierra have in common? These three counties — all rural, sparsely populated and […]

By

Robin Estrin

• November 2, 2020

With both Donald Trump and Joe Biden hitting up California for presidential campaign contributions, this map shows which candidate collected more campaign cash in each California zip code. iIllustration by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters; iStock

Elections

Ziplocked: Last look at California’s presidential money race, by ZIP code

Vertiginous blue spires on the urban coast and crimson plateaus stretching from the Central Valley to suburban SoCal — this is the presidential race for California cash, in 3D. In the map below, each ZIP code is colored according to the candidate who amassed more individual contributions from its residents. That’s blue for former Vice […]

By

Ben Christopher

• October 30, 2020