Elections

Homeless encampments like this one in Santa Cruz contribute to rising public concern about homelessness and housing in California. Photo by Dan Coyro/Santa Cruz Sentinel

Elections

Californians surveyed: Rising homelessness concerns, a split on Newsom, and no home-state edge for Kamala Harris

A new poll suggests that homelessness is a top concern for many Californians and that more likely voters now disapprove of Newsom’s job performance than approve. Is this a new downward trend for the governor...or just a blip?

By

Ben Christopher

• October 2, 2019

Elections

Conservatives clap back against California in court — twice

A judge blocks a state law requiring presidential hopefuls to disclose taxes, and conservatives sue again, claiming the state may allow "illegal votes."

By

Ben Christopher

• October 1, 2019

Elections

Californians may get to vote on expanded privacy rights

San Francisco privacy advocate Alastair Mactaggart is filing a new initiative to create a privacy bill of rights. The initiative could face challenges.

By

Dan Morain

• September 24, 2019

U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris is campaigning for the White House as a "progressive prosecutor." Photo by Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images)

Elections

As D.A., Kamala Harris prosecuted a mentally ill woman shot by police. The jury didn’t buy it.

In pursuing the Democratic presidential nomination, California's junior senator touts her experience as a “progressive prosecutor.” The case of Teresa Sheehan illustrates that the reality is more complicated.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• September 10, 2019

Elections

Bluer than blue: Are California Democrats ready to exploit a possible lopsided primary turnout?

Half a year out from California’s presidential primary, you can already envision an enthusiasm gap creating a turnout gap. But Democrats are holding back.

By

Ben Christopher

• August 29, 2019

California Sen. Kamala Harris was among the 11 presidential hopefuls who addressed a San Francisco meeting of the Democratic National Committee — where talk of California issues was virtually absent. Photo by Ben Christopher for CalMatters

Elections

California’s political equivalent to Iowa’s corn ethanol? Democratic presidential wannabes haven’t found it yet

With its earlier primary, the Golden State hoped it might finally earn itself some presidential pandering. Thus far, not so much.

By

Ben Christopher

• August 23, 2019

Voting Center in Sacramento Photo by Robbie Short for CALmatters

Elections

State’s top elections chief plans to take “California model” national

For advocates of expanded voting rights, California is the gold standard. Now Secretary of State Alex Padilla is evangelizing the state's approach — and hoping to shake up elections in other states in 2020.

By

Ben Christopher

• August 22, 2019

Economy

Harris belatedly joins other presidential candidates in California fight over “gig” workers

In what could be another reflection of California's newly relevant role in the presidential primary, Elizabeth Warren penned an op-ed supporting a California bill that would make it harder for companies to classify workers as "independent contractors."

By

Ben Christopher

• August 14, 2019

Sen. Kamala Harris speaks at the 2019 Iowa Democratic Wing Ding at Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, Aug. 9, 2019. Today, democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden announced Sen. Harris as his pick for Vice President. Photo by Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Elections

What California knows about Kamala Harris

What most Americans are just beginning to learn about California’s junior senator, we’ve already seen here for decades. Here are eight ways that California shaped Kamala Harris and that Harris has shaped California.

By

Ben Christopher

• August 12, 2019

California holds itself up as a model to other states seeking ways to take the politics out of redrawing district maps.

Elections

California stretches applicant deadline to draw political districts—pool’s too white, too male

The California State Auditor extended the deadline to apply for a seat on the California Citizens Redistricting Commission to August 19.

By

Ben Christopher

• August 5, 2019