Election 2020

Economy

What to know about gig worker pay before voting on Prop. 22

No, the ballot measure won’t ban Uber and Lyft in California. But it would overhaul how drivers get paid.

By Lauren Hepler • October 6, 2020

Commentary

Proposition 16: A new fight over affirmative action

California's Proposition 16 is a new skirmish in an old battle over "affirmative action."

By Dan Walters • October 4, 2020

Elections

California 2020 props explained in 1-minute videos

Want a quick introduction to the dozen measures on your November ballot? This playlist gives you a 60-second description of each — just play the first one and the rest will automatically play afterward: The Props-in-a-Minute playlist, produced by CalMatters’ reporting team, covers the array of subjects voters will be asked to decide this fall. […]

By Byrhonda Lyons • October 2, 2020

Elections

Trump call for poll watchers evokes chilling memories of Orange County, 1988

When debate moderator Chris Wallace asked President Donald Trump last night whether he would urge his supporters “not to engage in any civil unrest” while ballots are being counted and to “not declare victory until the election has been independently certified,” the president responded with a very different appeal to his base. “I’m urging my […]

By Ben Christopher • September 30, 2020

Commentary

Proposition 19’s tortuous journey to the ballot

California's Proposition 19 refights old battles as it alters laws governing property tax assessments.

By Dan Walters • September 30, 2020

Elections

California caught in presidential cage match debate

If you didn’t catch the first presidential debate of 2020 tonight — and if you didn’t, and did virtually anything else with that time, congratulations on a restful evening well-spent — you missed a cameo appearance by California. The Golden State made its entrance around the 75-minute mark.  That was presumably long after everyone but […]

By Ben Christopher • September 29, 2020

Commentary

Three measures test attitudes on crime

Three ballot measures test whether California voters endorse criminal justice reforms or believe they've gone too far.

By Dan Walters • September 29, 2020

Elections

If voters raise taxes on corporate landlords, will small biz foot the bill?

When supporters of a November property tax ballot measure talk about soaking the state’s faceless corporate giants and its wealthiest landlords, they are not talking about people like John Kevranian. The co-owner of Nuts for Candy & Toys in Burlingame, Kevranian and his wife have operated this mainstay of the Bay Area city’s downtown strip […]

By Ben Christopher • September 28, 2020

Commentary

Will politics trump gender in California this election year?

As California women try to increase their numbers in political office this election and inch toward gender parity, their path may be complicated.

By Guest Commentary • September 26, 2020

Politics

California NAACP president aids corporate prop campaigns — collects $1.2 million and counting

Alice Huffman, who is both a professional campaign consultant and long-time NAACP leader, was especially sought after this year as political campaigns respond to the national reckoning over race.

By Laurel Rosenhall • September 25, 2020