Election 2020

Elections

Bluer than blue: Are California Democrats ready to exploit a possible lopsided primary turnout?

Half a year out from California’s presidential primary, you can already envision an enthusiasm gap creating a turnout gap. But Democrats are holding back.

By Ben Christopher • August 29, 2019

Elections

California’s political equivalent to Iowa’s corn ethanol? Democratic presidential wannabes haven’t found it yet

With its earlier primary, the Golden State hoped it might finally earn itself some presidential pandering. Thus far, not so much.

By Ben Christopher • August 23, 2019

Elections

State’s top elections chief plans to take “California model” national

For advocates of expanded voting rights, California is the gold standard. Now Secretary of State Alex Padilla is evangelizing the state's approach — and hoping to shake up elections in other states in 2020.

By Ben Christopher • August 22, 2019

Commentary

An election reform: Let voters make clear which candidates they truly dislike

William L. Rukeyser, political commentator: Recognizing the powerful effects of negative feelings, and recognizing that some elections are between two widely unpopular candidates, what can we do to harness those emotions and translate them into more public participation? The answer may be simpler than you think.

By Guest Commentary • August 18, 2019

Economy

Harris belatedly joins other presidential candidates in California fight over “gig” workers

In what could be another reflection of California's newly relevant role in the presidential primary, Elizabeth Warren penned an op-ed supporting a California bill that would make it harder for companies to classify workers as "independent contractors." 

By Ben Christopher • August 14, 2019

WhatMatters

Greenhouse gas emissions fall but not enough, when $25 million is not enough, and Kamala Harris’ Iowa run

California gets a mixed emissions report, prepares to battle Trump administration over endangered species, immigration, warning labels

By Dan Morain and Barbara Harvey • August 13, 2019

Elections

What California knows about Kamala Harris

What most Americans are just beginning to learn about California’s junior senator, we’ve already seen here for decades.  Here are eight ways that California shaped Kamala Harris and that Harris has shaped California.

By Ben Christopher • August 12, 2019

Commentary

What The El Paso Moment portends for the Republican Party

Mike Madrid, former political director of the California Republican Party: In El Paso, Americans clearly saw what Latinos have been saying about what is happening to us in this country. Too many in the United States do not want our "kind" here. The silence from far too many is deafening.

By Guest Commentary • August 12, 2019

Commentary

Newsom scored political points by signing the Trump tax bill. But here’s the downside

Dan Schnur, USC’s Annenberg School of Communications: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to sign a bill that would require Donald Trump to disclose his tax returns to qualify for next year’s California primary ballot was a savvy political maneuver for our governor. But the practical impact of Newsom’s maneuver is negligible and the potential downside is considerable.

By Guest Commentary • August 6, 2019

Elections

California stretches applicant deadline to draw political districts—pool’s too white, too male

The California State Auditor extended the deadline to apply for a seat on the California Citizens Redistricting Commission to August 19.

By Ben Christopher • August 5, 2019