Placer 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.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

04/13/2025
More than 100 California bills moved to the “suspense file” last week, the start of a process where consequential decisions are made out of public view.

Loomis News logo From Loomis News...

04/10/2025
Image for display with article titled Loomis District Considers Another Shot at Measure E

If at first one doesn’t succeed, try again.
That is what the Loomis Union School District plans to do regarding Measure E, which lost by a small margin in last November’s election. Measure E was the district's Classroom Repair/Local Control Measure.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

04/10/2025
Schools had until March 2026 to spend remaining COVID relief money. The U.S. Department of Education cut those funds, amounting to about $200 million for California K-12 schools.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

04/09/2025
This researcher’s project joins at least 30 others across the University of California system that have been terminated by the National Institutes of Health. Those multi-year awards were worth more than $173 million.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

04/09/2025
California Democrats are backing a legislative proposal that would allow gig workers to form unions. Expect big pushback from companies like Uber, Lyft and Doordash.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

04/02/2025
Rural counties are some of the most reliant on federal funding and federal workers. But some still welcome Trump’s upcoming cuts to forestry and other departments

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

04/01/2025
At a time when the political climate calls for strong and steady leadership, many Black Californians are losing faith in the lawmakers they sent to Sacramento to deliver on a justice agenda anchored by reparations.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

03/26/2025
Voter guides in various languages at a polling site at Modoc Hall in Sacramento State in Sacramento on March 5, 2024. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Auburn Journal logo From Auburn Journal...

03/20/2025
Image for display with article titled Kiley Town Hall Leaves Some Callers Hanging

District 3 constituents attempted to join Rep. Kevin Kiley’s town hall after putting pressure on him to speak about important issues. While many got onto the call, many others were unable to connect to the call message due to overwhelming demand.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

03/13/2025
Under Trump’s directive the Department of Education laid off half its staff. The lawsuit argues Trump has no authority to make such drastic changes.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

03/06/2025
Los Angeles Assemblymember Rick Zbur says he wants to narrow the standards for justifiable homicide. Critics say he wants to make self-defense illegal.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

03/05/2025
Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to see tangible results from the $6.4 billion mental health bond voters approved last year. Moving fast carries a risk of neglecting under-resourced communities.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

02/24/2025
Image for display with article titled In a Time of Political Polarization, Braver Angels Promote Unity

In a time of unprecedented polarization, Braver Angels encourages citizens to do something completely revolutionary: listen to each other.

California Local Pin Marker From EdSource...

02/18/2025
California schools are grappling with the U.S. Department of Education's letter requiring them to scrap their DEI programs.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

02/14/2025
The audit by the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission followed CalMatters’ revelations that a law requiring trip organizers to annually disclose their major donors had been used only twice in seven years — even as interest groups continued paying millions for lawmakers’ travel.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

02/12/2025
Californians rejected the anti-slavery ballot measure Proposition 6, which would have forbid forced prison labor. Reparations advocates want to try again in 2026.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

02/11/2025
Sen. Kelly Seyarto is the only former career firefighter currently serving in the Legislature. But as a Republican in a Democratic supermajority, he says it can be challenging to make progress on wildfire policy.

Sierra Sun logo From Sierra Sun...

01/21/2025
Image for display with article titled Truckee High Students Stage Walkout for Women’s Rights

On Tuesday, Jan. 21, students at Truckee High School took a stand for women's rights by organizing a school-wide walkout. Led by the POWER (People Organized for Women's Empowerment and Respect) Club, the protest aimed to raise awareness about pressing issues surrounding women's rights, reproductive health, and equality in the United States.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

01/21/2025
Some schools destroyed years ago in the Sonoma and Butte fires are just now reopening. The long, expensive process of rebuilding in LA may eat up much of the money voters approved in November for school repairs statewide.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

01/21/2025
California’s Democratic leaders set aside tens of millions of dollars to challenge President Donald Trump’s executive orders and policies.