Election 2024: Latest News, Top Stories & Analysis

Standing at the podium, Attorney Thomas Hiltachk, representing the organizers of a ballot measure the Supreme Court has been asked to pull from the November ballot, speaks at the California Supreme Court in San Francisco, on May 8, 2024. The California Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday about whether to remove a measure from the November ballot that would make it harder for state and local governments to raise taxes. Photo by Jeff Chiu, AP Photo Pool

Elections

Will California voters decide tax limits in November? It’s up to the Supreme Court

The California Supreme Court will decide in the coming weeks whether to kick a measure off the November ballot that would make it more difficult to raise taxes. The case pits Democratic leaders and unions against business and taxpayer groups.

By Alexei Koseff • May 8, 2024

Politics

California politicians face rampant threats. Some want to use campaign cash for protection

With continuing concerns about political violence, a bill would allow candidates and elected officials to use campaign donations for security expenses. Gov. Newsom vetoed a similar bill last year.

By Sameea Kamal • May 2, 2024

Capitol

California passed a law to stop ‘pay to play’ in local politics. After two years, legislators want to gut it

A 2022 law limits campaign contributions to $250 to local elected officials from a donor with a license, building permit or other proceeding before the officials. Now there’s a bill to raise the limit to $1,000 and loosen other restrictions.

By Yue Stella Yu • May 1, 2024

A pro-Palestinian protester is arrested after being surrounded by LAPD officers during a protest in Alumni Park at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles on April 24, 2024. Photo by Jules Hotz for CalMatters

Elections

Steve Garvey calls pro-Palestinian student protesters ‘terrorists’

The Republican contender for U.S. Senate criticizes USC student encampments as acts of terrorism. Nearly 100 demonstrators were arrested on trespassing charges.

By Yue Stella Yu • April 25, 2024

From left, U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff and Republican candidate Steve Garvey are both vying for a seat in the U.S. Senate race in California. Photos by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., and Damian Dovarganes, AP Photo

Elections

Garvey tries to catch up to Schiff in U.S. Senate money race

Republican Steve Garvey and Democrat Adam Schiff each raised more than $3 million between Feb. 15 and March 31. But Schiff started April with $4.8 million on hand — triple the amount in Garvey’s bank.

By Yue Stella Yu • April 15, 2024

Elections

California sues Huntington Beach to stop voter ID requirement

Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley jointly sue the city over its new voting requirement. Local voters approved the city charter change in March.

By Alexei Koseff • April 15, 2024

Lisa Middleton, councilmember of the Palms Spring City Council, speaks during a Pass Democratic Club meeting at the Four Seasons in Beaumont on March 27, 2024. Photo by Elisa Ferrari for CalMatters

Elections

Which trailblazer: Will Californians here elect a GOP Latina or a transgender Democrat?

Two candidates seeking to become state senator for a new Inland Empire district say they’re avoiding culture war clashes to focus on bread-and-butter issues.

By Deborah Brennan • April 8, 2024

Assemblymember Evan Low speaks to Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi on the first day of the 2020 legislative session on Jan. 6, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Elections

Every vote counts. Just ask these two candidates tied with exactly 30,249 votes each

Because two candidates finished in an exact tie for second place, three Democrats will advance to the November election in the 16th Congressional District. It’s the first competitive three-way runoff since California adopted the top two system in 2012.

By Yue Stella Yu • April 4, 2024

Lobbyists gather around a television to watch as bill before the state Assembly is voted on at the Capitol Aug. 31, 2022. California lawmakers worked late into the night to complete their legislative business for the 2021-2022 session by the midnight deadline. Photo by Rich Pedroncelli, AP Photo

Politics

How long before California’s campaign finance website is replaced?

Reporters and the public rely on Cal-Access to track campaign fundraising, as well as how much is being spent by lobbyists. But the antiquated web portal probably won’t be replaced until at least after the 2026 statewide election.

By Sameea Kamal • April 3, 2024

Gov. Gavin Newsom casts his ballot at a polling site at the California Museum in Sacramento on March 5, 2024. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Mental Health

With Prop. 1 passage, Gavin Newsom again changes how Californians with mental illness get help

Gov. Gavin Newsom made mental health a priority since he took office five years ago. The ballot initiative voters approved this week will provide billions of dollars to fund housing and treatment facilities for mentally ill Californians.

By Jocelyn Wiener • March 20, 2024

Elections

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