Election 2020

Elections

Orange County staff planned election details down to the “I Voted” stickers

CalMatters talked to volunteer poll workers and full-time staff in the aftermath of November’s contentious election to see how their work differed from past elections. Election staff Tiffany Nevarez, Enedina Chhim and Roxana Castro say they enjoyed problem-solving their way past this year’s hurdles in Orange County.

By Michael Lozano • December 7, 2020

Elections

Retired colonel keeps the peace at Tulare County polling place

CalMatters talked to volunteer poll workers and full-time staff members in the aftermath of November’s contentious election to see how their work differed from past elections. Poll worker Cheri Provancha of Tulare County used her military experience to keep things orderly at the polling place.

By Lewis Griswold • December 4, 2020

Elections

Subdued mood and happy moments at rural Shasta polls

CalMatters talked to volunteer poll workers and full-time staff members in the aftermath of November’s contentious election to see how their work differed from past elections. Poll worker Jeannette Logue of Shasta County described the mood as “very serious.”

By Lewis Griswold • December 4, 2020

Elections

Between band gigs, he worked for democracy at home

CalMatters talked to volunteer poll workers and full-time staff members in the aftermath of November’s contentious election to see how their job differed from past elections. San Diego elections staffer Andrew Pates said his job motivation was “to work on the truth.”

By Michael Lozano • December 4, 2020

Commentary

With the election over, how do we achieve real change?

In the wake of the election, our first order of business must be an economic stimulus, and then we need to invest in a green and just recovery.

By Guest Commentary • December 3, 2020

Elections

How election officials fought fiction with fact

Pet videos populate Facebook all the time, but one posted during this frenzied election season stood out: A service dog named Maggie Magoo had voted by mail in Santa Cruz, its owner said. Not just that, the owner claimed Maggie was registered to vote using her microchip number as a social security number.  The story, […]

By Freddy Brewster and Katie Licari • December 2, 2020

Elections

How California moved to the future of voting during a pandemic

Fifty-four counties responded to a CalMatters election survey and many attributed the smooth election to new vote centers with savvy technology. Yet as Sacramento politicians say they want to make vote-by-mail permanent and expand vote centers, some counties are balking at costs and lack necessary infrastructure.

By Michael Lozano • December 1, 2020

WhatMatters

Latest unemployment scandal: State paid inmates $1B in fraudulent claims

California may have paid up to $1 billion in fraudulent unemployment claims filed on behalf of prison and jail inmates in what prosecutors are calling “the most significant fraud on taxpayer funds in California history.” The state paid more than 35,000 claims under state prisoners’ names, with one inmate collecting nearly $49,000, a group of […]

By Emily Hoeven • November 25, 2020

Elections

Research topics to expand as California passes stem cell measure

By narrowly approving Proposition 14, California voters will infuse researchers with billions more in funding to study some areas that don’t even involve stem cells.

By Barbara Feder Ostrov • November 24, 2020

Commentary

Here’s how communities of color can win elections

As the country's demographics shift to include more people of color, Los Angeles provides a model for how to win high-stakes races for progressive change.

By Guest Commentary • November 24, 2020