Election 2024: Latest News, Top Stories & Analysis

Voters cast their ballots on Super Tuesday at City Hall in San Francisco on March 5, 2024. Photo by Juliana Yamada for CalMatters.

Elections

Ballot measure madness: How California lawmakers are scrambling the November list

In late deals with Gov. Newsom and legislative leaders, proponents are pulling measures off the Nov. 5 ballot. But the Legislature may add others by next week.

By Alexei Koseff • June 27, 2024

Prisoners from the McCain inmate crew from San Diego, prepare to clear brush from a road on in Calistoga on Oct. 11, 2017. Photo by Ben Margot, AP Photo

Politics

Californians will decide — in 2024 — whether to ban slavery. What will the measure do?

California's constitution allows forced labor as a form of criminal punishment. That would change if voters approve an anti-slavery amendment this fall.

By Shaanth Nanguneri • June 27, 2024

Local residents in Tulare County register at the Voter Registration event held in downtown Tulare on Nov. 1, 2023. Photo by Zaydee Sanchez for CalMatters

Elections

Automatic voter registration in California takes a step back

The Assembly elections committee passes a bill to expand voter registration, but not the automatic sign-up that supporters originally wanted. Instead, the proposal would create a “preapproved” list for registration.

By Sameea Kamal • June 26, 2024

A real estate sign in front of a home in the Tower District in central Fresno on June 28, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Housing

California real estate group won’t fight affordable housing measure, for a price

The California Association of Realtors agrees not to oppose a constitutional amendment to reduce the voter approval threshold for housing bonds. In exchange, the measure will not apply to single-family homes. Some housing advocates are angry about the carve-out.

By Ben Christopher • June 21, 2024

The California Supreme Court during a court session at the Ronald Reagan State Office Building in Los Angeles on April. 3, 2024. Photo by Damian Dovarganes, AP Photo

Politics

High court blocks anti-tax measure from California ballot

The state Supreme Court takes a business-backed initiative to make it more difficult to raise taxes off the Nov. 5 ballot. Gov. Newsom and legislative leaders sued to kick it off.

By Alexei Koseff • June 20, 2024

Rally attendees cheer as Sen. Monique Limón speaks in support of SB 299, which would expand voter registration efforts, at the Capitol in Sacramento on June 12, 2024. Photo by Cristian Gonzalez for CalMatters.

Elections

‘Automatic’ registration would boost California’s voter rolls. What’s the downside?

Advocates say expanding voter registration will help more Black and Latino Californians have a say at the ballot box. But other voter groups say registering to vote should still be voluntary — and they don’t see the bill as an effective way to increase voter diversity.

By Sameea Kamal • June 18, 2024

Hotel workers and Unite Here Local 11 supporters sit-in during a protest at one of the main entrances to LAX airport, on June 22, 2023. Photo by Zaydee Sanchez for CalMatters

Capitol

California is sitting on millions that could boost wage theft response

Lawmakers and the governor use a fund reserved for labor enforcement to plug budget holes, and leave tens of millions unspent. Business and labor agree more of the money could be spent to hire more staff to speed investigations of wage theft claims.

By Jeanne Kuang • June 10, 2024

Politics

Will a new generation of Latino voters change California elections?

At the CalMatters Ideas Festival, two political experts debate the impact of young Latino voters driven more by economic concerns than immigration.

By Yue Stella Yu • June 7, 2024

Politics

Why Barbara McQuade is so worried about disinformation

At CalMatters’ inaugural Ideas Festival, analyst and author Barbara McQuade says disinformation is a threat to democracy, especially in local elections. "I think true patriotism is a commitment to truth," she said.

By Jenna Peterson • June 5, 2024

Lisamaria Martinez, who is blind, is one of the plaintiffs in a 2013 lawsuit against Alameda County over a voting machine malfunction that forced her to dictate her vote to someone else. Photo by Manuel Orbegozo for CalMatters

Politics

California made it easier to vote, but some with disabilities still face barriers

California is hailed as a national leader for voting access. But visually impaired voters and their advocates say they still face unnecessary barriers, despite bills and lawsuits. Some election officials raise security concerns.

By Yue Stella Yu and Sameea Kamal • June 5, 2024