Santa Clara County Local News: Elections & Politics


All Local Elections & Politics News articles contributed by our local media allies and other local newsrooms.

Image caption: Translated from the Greek, “Democracy” means “people power.” How much power do the people have in California?
People Power! What Is Democracy, and How Does It Work in California?

Democracy is a 2,500-year-old system of government still looked on today as the best system, because under a democratic system, the people govern themselves. But is that all there is to it? What is democracy? And how does it work …

Image caption: The California Supreme Court has defined the state’s legal and political agenda for more than 170 years.
How the California Supreme Court Blazes Legal Trails

The California Supreme Court has kept the state at the forefront of legal issues surrounding abortion, the death penalty and same-sex marriage, starting in its earliest days in the Gold Rush era.

Image caption: The cycle of crime and homelessness is escalating, but it doesn't have to be that way.
Homelessness and Crime in California: Even More Complex Than You Think

The links between homelessness and crime are complex, and the idea that unhoused individuals present a danger to their community seems to be exaggerated.

Image caption: California continues to work on legislation that would make voting easier.
Voting Rites

California keeps on taking legislative steps that will keep it ranked in the top 10 of voter-friendly states.

Image caption: There are more than 300 community service districts in California.
Community Services Districts, Explained

Community service districts can do most anything a city government can do. Here’s how they work and how to start one.

Image caption: California cities switch to more inclusive, district-based elections system.
Voting Rights...the Final Frontier

Pushed by activists, cities move from at-large elections to district races.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

05/06/2024
Image for display with article titled Former Silicon Valley Congressional Challenger Faces Federal Complaint

The unsuccessful March primary challenger to Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren is facing a federal election complaint for connections to a fake newspaper that appeared on the doorsteps of South Bay residents earlier this year.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

05/06/2024
Image for display with article titled Silicon Valley Leaders Push Multibillion-Dollar Housing Bond

Regional leaders are brainstorming ways to keep affordable housing production up and eyeing a hefty funding source.

California Local Pin Marker From Los Angeles Times...

05/04/2024
At many universities across the country, graduation for the Class of 2024 will feel more like making it through airport security than a procession through a free-flowing campus green or a cheering stadium crowd.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

05/04/2024
More than half of the U.S. House supports a bill to extend the funds, but it can’t get out of committee.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

05/03/2024
Image for display with article titled South Bay Dems Demand Disclosure of Congressional Recount Funders

The Santa Clara County Democratic Party has joined retiring Congresswoman Anna Eshoo in demanding transparency behind a controversial recount in the race for her seat.

Los Gatan logo From Los Gatan...

05/03/2024
Image for display with article titled Simitian Knocked-Off November Ballot by Recount

The battle lines are drawn: It's Low v. Liccardo.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

05/01/2024
Image for display with article titled Updated: The California Exodus: How the Housing Crisis Weakens the State Politically

Unless California solves its housing crisis, the state will lose more congressional seats and could shift the political alignment of the whole country

California Local Pin Marker From Los Altos Town Crier...

04/30/2024
Local resident Ibrahim Bashir announced his candidacy for one of three open seats on the Los Altos City Council.

California Local Pin Marker From Los Altos Town Crier...

04/30/2024
A threat of a legal challenge to at-large elections for Los Altos City Council has been issued.

San Jose Inside logo From San Jose Inside...

04/29/2024
Image for display with article titled Liccardo Calls for Taxpayer-Funded Automatic Recounts in Close Races

Sam Liccardo urged his fellow candidates – and the public – to embrace the results of the 16th Congressional District recount.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

04/26/2024
A bill to rein in a proposed monthly fee on California electric bills would let California’s largest for-profit utility companies charge customers $24 per month — with fees as low as $6 for lower-income customers — as a kind of membership fee for the power grid.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

04/25/2024
Image for display with article titled Silicon Valley Congressional Recount Closing in on Final Tally

The recount to replace Rep. Anna Eshoo's congressional seat is coming to a close, but it will still be days before results are finalized.

San Jose Inside logo From San Jose Inside...

04/23/2024
Image for display with article titled Politics Roils the 16th District Recount, Expected to Wrap Up This Week

The counting process exploded into a controversy involving political action committees, campaign surrogates, the Federal Election Commission, members of Congress and the counting of previously discarded ballots.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

04/22/2024
Image for display with article titled Silicon Valley Congressional Recount Can’t Be Refunded

A week after an expensive and highly-criticized recount of ballots began in a tied congressional race, the California Secretary of State says the requester will not get his money back.

California Local Pin Marker From Los Angeles Times...

04/21/2024
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new ad blasts GOP efforts to make it harder for people to leave states with abortion bans and seek treatment elsewhere.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

04/19/2024
Image for display with article titled Federal Complaint Filed Against San Jose Congressional Candidate Sam Liccardo

Silicon Valley congressional candidate Sam Liccardo is facing a complaint with the federal election commission alleging his campaign is coordinating a "dark money" effort to fund a highly-criticized recount in the Congressional District 16 race. 

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

04/17/2024
Image for display with article titled Super PAC Pays for Silicon Valley Congressional Recount

A new political action committee was formed to pay for a recount of the contentious Congressional District 16 race, further obscuring who is actually funding the effort.

California Local Pin Marker From Los Angeles Times...

04/17/2024
Alejandro N. Mayorkas, a Cuban immigrant who grew up in California, is the first U.S. Cabinet official impeached in nearly 150 years.

San Jose Inside logo From San Jose Inside...

04/15/2024
Image for display with article titled Let the Recount Begin: Machines Scanning 190,000 Ballots From 16th District

While former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo’s 8,200-vote margin means he is a shoo-in for the top spot on the ballot, the recount could change the unprecedented tie between Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian and State Assemblymember Evan Low.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

04/13/2024
Image for display with article titled Who’s Behind Recount in Silicon Valley Congressional Race?

Two men from different counties have pushed for a recount in a highly-scrutinized Silicon Valley congressional race.

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