election 2020

The California big-donor money race among presidential candidates, zip code by zip code. Data visualizations by Ben Christopher for CalMatters

Elections

7 data visualizations: Which presidential candidates are Californians funding — month by month, zip by zip?

These seven interactive maps and charts reveal surprising clues to how Kamala Harris, Donald Trump and the rest fare in the race for California's campaign cash

By

Ben Christopher

• October 17, 2019

Hands making thumbs up and thumbs down signals.

Elections

Fact check: Do Californians really cool on ballot measures as the election approaches?

Conventional wisdom holds that support for ballot measures always declines the closer you get to election day. Is that true? We ran the numbers.

By

Ben Christopher

• October 16, 2019

Democratic presidential candidate and businessman Tom Steyer waits to speak at the Des Moines Register Soapbox during a visit to the Iowa State Fair. AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

Elections

What California knows about Tom Steyer

Five ways that California has shaped Tom Steyer, and how he — the state's largest mega-donor — has helped shape California.

By

Ben Christopher

• October 4, 2019

Homeless encampments like this one in Santa Cruz contribute to rising public concern about homelessness and housing in California. Photo by Dan Coyro/Santa Cruz Sentinel

Elections

Californians surveyed: Rising homelessness concerns, a split on Newsom, and no home-state edge for Kamala Harris

A new poll suggests that homelessness is a top concern for many Californians and that more likely voters now disapprove of Newsom’s job performance than approve. Is this a new downward trend for the governor...or just a blip?

By

Ben Christopher

• October 2, 2019

Elections

Conservatives clap back against California in court — twice

A judge blocks a state law requiring presidential hopefuls to disclose taxes, and conservatives sue again, claiming the state may allow "illegal votes."

By

Ben Christopher

• October 1, 2019

Newsletters

Why Boise matters, Kamala Harris’ poll numbers, endangered species, and rehabilitation through college

California joins Boise in Supreme Court homeless case. Kamala Harris' home state numbers sink. College professors bring courses to prisons.

By

Dan Morain

• September 26, 2019

Elections

Californians may get to vote on expanded privacy rights

San Francisco privacy advocate Alastair Mactaggart is filing a new initiative to create a privacy bill of rights. The initiative could face challenges.

By

Dan Morain

• September 24, 2019

A cocktail sign above a bar in Sacramento. Photo by Shawn Hubler for CALmatters

WhatMatters

Newsom rejects ‘Trump insurance’ bill, blood on the floor, plastics, time, and 18-year-old scotch

Newsom rejects 'Trump insurance.' Anti-vax battle turns bloody. UAW official involved in Tesla fight is charged with corruption.

By

Dan Morain

• September 16, 2019

U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris is campaigning for the White House as a "progressive prosecutor." Photo by Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images)

Elections

As D.A., Kamala Harris prosecuted a mentally ill woman shot by police. The jury didn’t buy it.

In pursuing the Democratic presidential nomination, California's junior senator touts her experience as a “progressive prosecutor.” The case of Teresa Sheehan illustrates that the reality is more complicated.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• September 10, 2019

WhatMatters

Super-surge pricing, 2020 politics, Newsom’s second thoughts, and a public servant calls it a career

Gig companies threaten to take worker fight to voters. Democratic lawmakers eye 2020 ballot measures. Newsom rethinks air district board appointment.

By

Dan Morain

• August 30, 2019

Election 2020