election 2020

WhatMatters

Newsom on coronavirus + PG&E’s record fine + A new drought, perhaps + Bernie Sanders’ loyalists

Newsom weighs in on coronavirus. PG&E hit with record fine for wildfires. California faces prospect of new drought after dry February.

By

Dan Morain

• February 28, 2020

An election worker hands out an "I voted" sticker

Commentary

What will happen in California’s Democratic primary

Garry South, Democratic strategist: What will happen in California’s Democratic primary? Who knows. But certain things are known. But, again, who knows?

By

Guest Commentary

• February 27, 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

How Californians can make their Democratic votes count on Super Tuesday

Ace Smith, Democratic campaign strategist: If you’re planning on voting for a Democratic candidate for president whom you love, skip this piece. But if like many Californians you’re looking to vote for someone you like in the March 3 primary, and you want your vote to count, read on.

By

Guest Commentary

• February 27, 2020

Commentary

Will young people vote in November? Here’s what must happen first

Laura W. Brill, The Civics Center: People who care about democracy want to know whether young people will turn out to vote in November 2020. More than 3.5 million students graduate from high school every year. Those who register can be expected to turnout at rates above 75% in the November election. Whether or not they register depends, first and foremost, on whether we ask.

By

Guest Commentary

• February 27, 2020

The Hurricane Hunters fly a WC-130J Super Hercules aircraft into the North Pacific to meet an atmospheric river on January 28, 2020. Photo by Rachel Becker for CalMatters

WhatMatters

Dams at risk + Riding atmospheric rivers + Coronavirus concerns

California dams are at risk. Scientists study atmospheric rivers and climate change. State responds to coronavirus cases.

By

Dan Morain

• February 26, 2020

In this June 5, 2018, file photo, election workers Heidi McGettigan, left, Margaret Wohlford, center, and David Jensen, unload a bag of ballots brought in a from a polling precinct to the Sacramento County Registrar of Voters office in Sacramento, Calif. Photo by Rich Pedroncelli, AP Photo

Elections

Delayed and Confused: Will California’s election rules lead to an Iowa-style snafu?

Less than a week out from California’s March 3 primary, campaigns and election administrators here are sweating the small stuff.

By

Ben Christopher

• February 26, 2020

WhatMatters

Evan Low’s fundraising + The shifting 9th Circuit’s abortion ruling + Hard living in Salinas

Assemblyman's fundraising scrutinized by state watchdog. Family-planning ruling hits low-income women hardest. Trump judges begin to leave their mark.

By

Dan Morain

• February 25, 2020

Sebastopol residents Joseph Mastrolia and his children Domino, 13, left and Talulah, 11 cheer during a Bernie Sanders campaign rally in Richmond, CA on February 17, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Elections

If California polls hold, only Bernie Sanders would win any delegates chosen by statewide vote

No one else is averaging above a 15% statewide threshold. But that could change — and presidential candidates can also pick up delegates within congressional districts.

By

Ben Christopher

• February 25, 2020

Sen. Bernie Sanders at a campaign rally at Craneway Pavilion in Richmond, CA, on February 17, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

Bernie Sanders’ $100 billion take-over of PG&E will make California’s electricity problem worse

Tom Dalzell, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1245: Sen. Bernie Sanders released a proposal, originally advanced by the Democratic Socialists of America, to convert PG&E from an investor owned utility to a ward of that state. I am deeply troubled by how it was developed and announced. Sen. Sanders and his team did not consult with us or a single affected worker before announcing this scheme.

By

Guest Commentary

• February 24, 2020

Commentary

Why California needs Elizabeth Warren as president

Assemblymembers Lorena Gonzalez and Phil Ting: For California, a state that has proudly seized the role of a progressive alternative to the chaos and madness of the Trump White House, President Elizabeth Warren would be a match made in heaven.

By

Guest Commentary

• February 24, 2020

Election 2020