Election 2020

Politics

Newsom’s pick? Here’s who might fill Kamala Harris’ Senate seat

Now that Kamala Harris is vice president-elect, California's governor will decide who replaces her. Let the lobbying kick into high gear.

By Ben Christopher • August 11, 2020

Economy

California Democrats divided over COVID-19 stimulus, millionaire tax to fund economic recovery

How should California dig itself out of a $54 billion deficit? A divide between state lawmakers over how to generate revenue mirrors a national reckoning in Democratic politics.

By Lauren Hepler • August 6, 2020

Elections

Critics demand fairer prop ballot labels and summaries, but lawsuits tend to flame out

State courts typically defer to the attorney general’s word choice — but a growing chorus of critics say California should place the job in more objective hands.

By Ben Christopher • August 6, 2020

Commentary

Taking a closer look at rejected mail ballots in California’s March primary

The 100,000-plus number of rejected mail ballots in California’s March primary is a helpful warning in a system with a few growing pains, not a sign of fraud.

By Guest Commentary • August 4, 2020

Commentary

Referendum on SB 10: Vote ‘Yes’ to replace an oppressive system based on money

A “Yes” vote on Proposition 25 means replacing a money bail system that criminalizes poverty with a fair system that assesses each individual’s public safety risk.

By Guest Commentary • July 29, 2020

Dan Walters

Becerra slants two ballot measure titles

California's attorneys general are empowered to write official titles for statewide ballot measures but the current AG, Xavier Becerra, continues the practice of providing slanted and partisan summaries.

By Dan Walters • July 27, 2020

Commentary

Voter suppression is a California problem, too

California may claim to have all the correct policies and politicians may say all the right things about voting, but in practice we fail.

By Guest Commentary • July 15, 2020

Reader Reactions

Electoral College levels the playing field for small states

Re “Supreme Court rules members of the Electoral College must be faithful – how that affects California”; Commentary, July 7, 2020 Jessica Levinson points out many of the attributes and results that can come from the makeup of the Electoral College.  It does indeed penalize big states to a degree when it comes to the […]

By Guest Commentary • July 14, 2020

Dan Walters

2020 ballot measures are mostly do-overs

California voters face 12 statewide ballot measures this year and all but two rehash old political battles.

By Dan Walters • July 8, 2020

Commentary

Supreme Court rules members of the Electoral College must be faithful – how that affects California

Thanks to how the Electoral College is structured, Californians have much less power in electing the next president than voters in less populous states.

By Guest Commentary • July 7, 2020