Campaign Finance - CalMatters

A voter casts their ballot at a polling station at the Sacramento County voter registration and elections office in Sacramento on Nov. 8, 2022. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

What happened to the big changes to California elections?

by Sameea Kamal July 12, 2023July 12, 2023

The most sweeping bills to change California elections got shelved in the Legislature. Instead, lawmakers are focusing on ballot measure language, local redistricting, voting integrity and campaign finance tweaks before the 2024 election.

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at San Quentin State Prison announcing that the facility will be transformed to focus on training and rehabilitation on March 17, 2023. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

How much more Gavin Newsom’s tour cost taxpayers

by Sameea Kamal May 31, 2023May 31, 2023

Sen. Catherine Blakespear of the California Legislature. Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr.

California lawmaker opens legal fund over Facebook feud

by Alexei Koseff May 25, 2023May 24, 2023

Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters; iStock

Capitol, Politics

This law should reveal who’s paying for California legislators’ travel. It’s only been used twice

by Alexei Koseff and Jeremia Kimelman May 18, 2023May 18, 2023

California Legislature paid trips. Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters; iStock

Capitol, Politics

How free trips for California legislators lead to bills

by Jeremia Kimelman and Alexei Koseff May 4, 2023May 3, 2023

Assemblymembers on the Assembly floor at the state Capitol in Sacramento on March 27, 2023. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

The payoff from free trips for California lawmakers

by Lynn La May 4, 2023May 4, 2023

At right, Democratic State Senator Ben Allen, of Santa Monica, and State Senator Steve Glazer (left) confer during the Senate session at the Capitol in 2018. AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

Will new California law curb pay-to-play in local governments?

by Dan Walters March 8, 2023March 7, 2023

A San Mateo city council meeting at City Hall in San Mateo on Dec. 12, 2022. Photo by Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group

New California pay-to-play law taken to court

by Ben Christopher February 24, 2023February 24, 2023

Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters; iStock

Buried treasure: California politicians stash $35 million in leftover campaign cash

by Alexei Koseff and Ben Christopher December 21, 2022December 21, 2022

Darren Gallagher stands in front of a damaged house in Rio Dell on December 20, 2022 after a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northern California. Photo by Fred Greaves, REUTERS

Will Northern California earthquake revive seismic safety debate?

by Emily Hoeven December 21, 2022December 21, 2022