ballot measure

A police officer is unrolling a roll of crime scene tape along an empty road next to a fence and train track to create a crime scene.

Justice

6 myths about California crime as voters now favor this measure on drugs, retail theft

Worries about retail theft and fentanyl deaths shaped a November ballot measure that would toughen some criminal penalties. Here are the facts about California crime trends.

By

Nigel Duara

• September 19, 2024

A person, wearing a light blue blouse, is led out of a building by another a law enforcement official while handcuffed.

Commentary

Convicted rapist Andrew Luster granted parole before California lawmakers close loophole

A 2016 penal reform ballot measure proposed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown had loopholes that eventually benefitted perpetrators of sex crimes. The Legislature recently voted to close one loophole that allowed notorious serial rapist Andrew Luster to be granted parole.

By

Dan Walters

• September 10, 2024

San Francisco City Hall lit up red, white and blue for Election Day on Nov. 3, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

In Los Angeles County and San Francisco, government reform is on the ballot

In November voters in Los Angeles and San Francisco will decide whether to overhaul the structure of their local government.

By

Dan Walters

• August 30, 2024

Flanked by state lawmakers, Gov. Gavin Newsom extends his hands out in celebration while seated at a desk at a Home Depot in San Jose.

Justice

Gavin Newsom signs new retail theft laws as voters weigh even tougher penalties

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed bills that aim to make it easier to prosecute retail theft. He's asking voters to reject a ballot measure that would impose even tougher penalties.

By

Nigel Duara

• August 16, 2024

Bay Area tenants from the KDF Tenants Association protest housing conditions and rent increases outside the office complex that houses KDF Communities LLC's office in Newport Beach, on Oct. 26, 2023. Photo by Julie A Hotz for CalMatters

Commentary

California’s voters face competing ballot measures as interest groups clash

California's initiative process casts voters as judges of political policy issues. Sometimes they're parsing competing measures on the same topic.

By

Dan Walters

• July 31, 2024

The exterior of the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in downtown Los Angeles.

Commentary

Los Angeles County supervisors look to rare reforms that would dilute their power

Three of Los Angeles County's five supervisors are supporting a major overhaul of county governance that would almost double the board's size and establish an elected county executive, which would arguably become California’s second-most powerful office.

By

Dan Walters

• July 30, 2024

Cattle stand in a green grassy field with green energy wind mills in the background in Solano County.

Commentary

California has seen many towns created, but as population drops a big project has stalled

Many new towns have been created to handle California's population growth. Now the state is losing population, and its latest new town project has stalled.

By

Dan Walters

• July 26, 2024

Commentary

Housing is the key to activating the power of California’s young voters

High rents and home prices are affecting young adults’ futures. That’s why young voters, especially Blacks and Latinos, say housing and homelessness are the key issues this election cycle.

By Saa’un Bell • July 19, 2024

An inmate works on an American flag while working in the Prison Industries Authority Fabrics program at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla on April 5, 2012. Photo by Lea Suzuki, San Francisco Chronicle via AP

Justice

If Californians vote to ban slavery this fall, will prisoners get a raise?

California courts have long upheld below-minimum wage pay for prison inmates working a wide range of jobs. A 2024 ballot measure that would ban forced labor could alter those decisions.

By

Shaanth Nanguneri

• July 17, 2024

A close up of a gambling table with gambling chips, cash, and a card that says, "$50,000" on it.

Politics

Gambling interests gave $1M to California lawmakers. Did it influence their votes?

California’s rival gambling interests gave the 22 members of an obscure legislative committee more than $1 million in campaign donations. Did the cash infusion to this “juice committee” influence members’ votes?

By

Ryan Sabalow

and

Jeremia Kimelman

• July 16, 2024

Ballot Measure