election 2020

Close up of marijuana growing for a marijuana supplier.

WhatMatters

Election Day + Obamacare jeopardy + Job protection for workers who use cannabis? + Coronavirus update

Zombie votes and delayed results expected today. Bill would protect workers who use medical marijuana. Business and labor groups spent big on primary.

By

Dan Morain

• March 3, 2020

Three-quarters of ballots mailed to Californians had yet to be returned as of the day before Election Day. Photo illustration by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Elections

Less than a quarter of California mail ballots came back before Election Day — including the “zombies”

“Zombie votes,” or votes for candidates no longer running, could be a factor in California's Democratic presidential primary.

By

Elizabeth Castillo

• March 3, 2020

Makeup artist Jennifer Young, from Yuba City, listens to speakers at a rally to repeal AB 5

Commentary

California’s legislature passed a far-reaching labor bill. It could make you collateral damage

Chris Micheli, Aprea & Micheli, Inc: California’s legislature passed a far-reaching labor bill, Assembly Bill. It could turn you into collateral damage. And the Legislature ought to fix it.

By

Guest Commentary

• March 3, 2020

A voter drops his ballot into the box at San Francisco City Hall on Super Tuesday 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Elections

California Primary Election Results 2020

Live results start coming in March 3, 8 p.m. PST. Expect final results in a few weeks.

By

John Osborn D'Agostino

• March 3, 2020

WhatMatters

COVID-19 update + A $50,000 loophole + American Independent Party loses a member + Eduardo Mendoza’s journey

Schools brace for impact of coronavirus. PAC exploits campaign finance loophole in Assembly race. American Indepdenent Party losers a voter.

By

Dan Morain

• March 2, 2020

Commentary

Democratic presidential candidates should focus on the issue that matters to California voters: health care, specifically Medicaid

Raphael J. Sonenshein, Pat Brown Institute at Cal State L.A.: Democratic presidential candidates should focus on the issue that matters to California voters: health care, specifically Medicaid. Republican strategists understand the danger of being on the wrong side of the Medicaid expansion.

By

Guest Commentary

• March 2, 2020

Presidential candidates are touting endorsements they've received from California politicians known and relatively unknown. Illustration by Anne Wernikoff, elements by Gage Skidmore via Flickr and PeskyMonkey/iStock

Commentary

Lessons California Democrats should learn from Donald J. Trump as Super Tuesday approaches: Vote with your heart

Robin Swanson, Democratic strategist: Unless the Democratic nominee and Democratic Party find a candidate who connects with voters on an emotional level and creates a brand that sticks, we’re looking at another four years of a president who has mastered the con like no other.

By

Guest Commentary

• March 1, 2020

Commentary

Why Californians should vote for Pete Buttigieg: He’s the right Democrat to take on Donald Trump

Toni Atkins, Senate president pro tem: Why should Californians vote for Pete Buttigieg in Tuesday's Democratic presidential primary? He’s the right Democrat to take on Donald Trump.

By

Guest Commentary

• March 1, 2020

Under a California campaign finance loophole, the committee Californians Allied for Patient Protection is not required to list three industry groups that contributed $49,000 each as "major funding" sources. Illustration by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters. Elements via iStock and YouTube

Elections

Last-minute special interest cash pours through California’s $50,000 loophole

It's a California campaign finance loophole big enough to drive a $50,000 truck through — and how special interests avoid revealing they're paying for ads.

By

Ben Christopher

• March 1, 2020

All the James Bonds are on display in Madame Tussaud's in Berlin, Germany — but our video will take the mystery out of the bonds on your California ballot. Photo by: Britta Pedersen/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

Elections

Bonds demystified: Watch what a bond measure is, in under 2 minutes

Our video covers the basics you need to know to size up any bond not numbered 007.

By

Byrhonda Lyons

and

Judy Lin

• February 29, 2020

Election 2020