California Elections

Individuals are seen voting at private booths in a well-lit room, with one person seated at a nearby table, filling out paperwork. Some voters have backpacks and are focused on the process. The background includes vertical window blinds and a neutral interior setting.

Politics

How much did the youth vote shift to the right in California?

In November 2024, California voters made a small shift to the right. What part did young voters play in it? Experts say reasons could range from fewer young people turning out to vote to changes in ideology.

By

June Hsu

• January 24, 2025

Elections

Gambling companies spent big to defeat three California lawmakers. ‘We want to be respected’

California’s card room industry spent over $3 million targeting four lawmakers as payback for their votes on a gambling bill. Three of the lawmakers lost.

By

Ryan Sabalow

• December 10, 2024

A person wearing a black shirt pushes a blue shopping cart as they pass by a cooler labeled "fresh eggs" and filled with egg containers at a grocery store.

Commentary

Californians are sour about economy. Their votes this year reflected it

A new survey by the Public Policy Institute of California helps quantify the economic unrest in Vice President Kamala Harris's home state and the frustration voters expressed at the ballot box.

By

Dan Walters

• December 10, 2024

A patient waits in line to pick up a prescription at La Clinica in Oakland on Sept. 26, 2019. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

California voters deliver accountability to health care providers exploiting drug program

Proposition 34 confronts the longtime abuse of the federal 340B prescription drug program and will hold bad actors accountable if providers don’t spend their revenue on patients. California voters got it right.

By Julie Gill Shuffield • November 27, 2024

The skyline of San Francisco as seen from Bernal Heights Hill on March 16, 2020. Photo by Jeff Chiu, AP Photo

Commentary

California’s political clout will fade as long as population growth remains slow

California’s clout in both presidential and congressional elections is shrinking. It’s a stark reminder of the old adage that demography drives destiny.

By

Dan Walters

• November 20, 2024

Four people stand on a stage behind individual podiums, each looking towards their right in front of an audience at a governor candidate forum. Blue, red and gray lights illuminate the stage curtains the background.

Commentary

Let the games begin: 2026 campaign for California governor now looms

The next political cycle begins with no clear frontrunners for California governor. There are at least a dozen potential candidates, plus one huge unknown factor: Vice President Kamala Harris’s career plans after losing her presidential bid.

By

Dan Walters

• November 14, 2024

A person points as they speak at a microphone at a podium with people behind him holding up signs.

Elections

Republicans fend off Democratic challengers in three key Inland Empire races

Republican candidates in three high-profile Inland Empire races for Congress and the state Legislature were either leading or able to fend off Democratic challengers as officials keep counting votes.

By

Deborah Brennan

• November 13, 2024

An inmate's cell in the inmate housing unit at the Tulare County Adult Pre-Trial Facility on Sept. 18, 2023. In 2022, Tulare County had eight inmate deaths in their facility, the deadliest year in the jail’s history. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Commentary

How Proposition 36 convinced Californians to vote against their political views

Many are asking: Is the movement for criminal justice reform in California dead? The answer is no.

By Michelle Parris • November 8, 2024

An empty legislative chamber featuring rows of dark wooden desks and green leather chairs arranged neatly on an ornate green carpet. Two large boards with illuminated text hang on either side of the speaker's podium at the front of the room. The American and Californian flags are positioned behind the podium, framed by tall, elegant columns. The quiet setting suggests a pause in legislative activity.

Digital Democracy

The California Legislature set a record for women in office and could see historic gender parity

California’s Senate will reach gender parity, but depending on the outcome of some close contests, that could extend to the whole Legislature.

By

Sameea Kamal

• November 8, 2024

Four white voting booths with American flags and the word "VOTE" emblazoned on the side are visible. A person wearing a baseball cap casts a ballot in one of the booths. They're located in a room, reminiscent of a community center.

Commentary

In deeply blue California, voters don’t always march to Democratic drums

California is one of the nation’s bluest states. However, the state’s voters engaged in some serious ticket-splitting this week, implying that they are not as wedded to the dominant party and its ideological causes as widely assumed.

By

Dan Walters

• November 7, 2024