election 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris, wearing a tan blazer and black shirt, stands behind a podium with as hundreds of supporters stand behind her, waving signs with her name at a campaign rally.

Elections

Gavin Newsom has not solved California’s housing crisis. Three lessons for Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris pledges to build 3 million affordable homes and apartments in her first term as president, but Gov. Newsom has fallen short on a similar campaign promise in California. What lessons can she learn?

By

Alexei Koseff

• September 25, 2024

A person wearing a grey hat with a black band holds a paper with the words "Prop 33" printed on it. The scene is a bar, with other patron drinking beer and sitting at tables.

Events

VotingMatters 2024 brings landlords and renters together

CalMatters’s brought its in-person voter event series to Redding, Chico, and South Lake Tahoe.

By

Dan Hu

• September 23, 2024

City Councilmembers Gil Cedillo, left, and Kevin de Leon sit behind desk in the council chambers in Los Angeles. A small, light blue and yellow Ukrainian flag sits between them.

Commentary

In California’s one-party system, political family feuds fill competitive vacuum

Now that Democrats are on top, it's evident that in the absence of two-party competition feuds erupt within the parties themselves.

By

Dan Walters

• September 20, 2024

A police officer is unrolling a roll of crime scene tape along an empty road next to a fence and train track to create a crime scene.

Justice

6 myths about California crime as voters now favor this measure on drugs, retail theft

Worries about retail theft and fentanyl deaths shaped a November ballot measure that would toughen some criminal penalties. Here are the facts about California crime trends.

By

Nigel Duara

• September 19, 2024

Police officers and other officials in suits walk past a large image of illegal drugs during a press conference in Los Angeles.

Commentary

California needs Prop. 36 to help bring accountability to the fentanyl crisis

California voters will soon decide whether to reclassify certain theft and drug penalties under Proposition 36. A formerly homeless man who misused drugs and was arrested for theft believes the ballot initiative will rightly restore accountability and compassion.

By Tom Wolf • September 17, 2024

A person holds a pamphlet with the title "Need a job now?" The flyer features various individuals in work uniforms, suggesting job opportunities, likely targeting people on parole or those reentering the workforce. The setting is a fair focused on employment and reentry support.

Commentary

There are prison rehabilitation success stories across California. Prop. 36 puts future ones at risk

This fall, California voters will decide whether to reclassify certain theft and drug penalties under Proposition 36. If more people end up in prisons under the stricter laws, some worry it could eliminate funding for key rehabilitation programs and increase recidivism.

By Felix Valdez • September 17, 2024

A man sits in an orange prison uniform in front of shelves filled with legal books. Above the shelves are boxes labeled "Official Ballot Drop Box."

Elections

Thousands in California’s jails have the right to vote — but here’s why many won’t

While incarcerated Californians who aren’t serving a state or federal felony sentence are eligible to vote, most county jails don’t make it very easy. A bill on Gov. Newsom’s desk would test in-person voting in jails in three counties.

By

Sameea Kamal

• September 16, 2024

Commentary

California’s Constitution doesn’t recognize marriage equality. Prop. 3 would fix that

While Proposition 3 will not necessarily change anything for LGBTQ+ Californians, it will end a decades-long struggle for marriage equality, and demonstrate the state's broader support amid a recent backlash.

By

Kate McQuarrie

• September 16, 2024

Attendees gather in chairs and couches at a bar while reading flyers with information on ballot propositions.

Events

CalMatters kicks off VotingMatters 2024 in Eureka

CalMatters launched its voter event series to provide in-person information to voters statewide.

By

Dan Hu

• September 16, 2024

Elections

‘Mess’ and ‘destruction’: Fact-checking Trump’s attacks on California and Kamala Harris

Donald Trump didn’t attack California or Kamala Harris’s home-state record during their presidential debate. He didn’t miss his chance on a fundraising visit, blasting the state on crime, homelessness and more.

By

Yue Stella Yu

• September 13, 2024

Election 2024