San Benito 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 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.

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.

California Local Pin Marker From Benito Link...

04/16/2024
Local resident Robert Bernosky announced a plan to initiate a recall of San Benito Health Care District Board member Josie Sanchez.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

04/11/2024
Image for display with article titled Backers of California Homeless Camp Ban Cite ‘Successful’ San Diego Law. But Is It?

A new bill would make it illegal for homeless residents to camp in certain places, such as near schools, throughout California. Its authors say such a ban has had great success in San Diego. But a closer look at that city paints a more nuanced picture.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

04/09/2024
Image for display with article titled Digital Democracy Ramps Up Accountability of CA Legislature

In an analysis of more than 1 million votes cast by current legislators since 2017, CalMatters Digital Democracy reporter Ryan Sabalow and CBS Sacramento reporter Julie Watts found that Democrats vote “no” less than 1% of the time on average.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

04/08/2024
Anti-tax groups in California have qualified a measure for the November ballot that would make raising state and local taxes much more difficult. It’s a showdown that’s been building for nearly five decades.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

04/02/2024
Image for display with article titled California’s Most Controversial Housing Law Could Get a Makeover

Some of California’s top lawmakers want to clear up, but also rein in, the “builder’s remedy.”

California Local Pin Marker From Benito Link...

04/01/2024
The 2024 March 5 election results were certified by the San Benito County Elections on March 29.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

03/29/2024
Image for display with article titled California May Gut Two CalWORKS Programs Helping Thousands of Families

The state is considering zeroing out funds for CalWORKS family stabilization and job subsidy programs to help balance the budget.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

03/27/2024
Presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr. chose Oakland to announce his vice presidential pick on Tuesday, so it wasn’t too much of a shocker that his pick was Nicole Shanahan, a Bay Area tech attorney and philanthropist.

California Local Pin Marker From Los Angeles Times...

03/25/2024
A judge ruled GOP Reps. Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene can move forward with their lawsuit against two California cities where rallies were canceled.

California Local Pin Marker From KFF Health News...

03/25/2024
Lawyers from the conservative Christian group that won the case to overturn Roe v. Wade are returning to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday in pursuit of an urgent priority: shutting down access to abortion pills for women across the country.

SanBenitocom logo From SanBenitocom...

03/14/2024
Image for display with article titled More Than 9,000 Ballots Cast in San Benito County Election

The latest results of the March 5 presidential primary election show that a total of 8,749 people voted in San Benito County. The vast majority of those—7,749 voters—cast their votes by mail, while 1,000 people voted in-person at county vote centers.

California Local Pin Marker From Los Angeles Times...

03/08/2024
Proposition E broadens police surveillance powers and Proposition F mandates drug screening and treatment for people receiving county welfare benefits who are suspected of drug use.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

03/07/2024
The number of women elected to the state Senate and Assembly is 50 of 120 after the 2022 election. And based on the primary results so far, it’s expected to increase to at least 55 women after the November election.

Gilroy Dispatch logo From Gilroy Dispatch...

03/06/2024
Image for display with article titled Hernandez to Face Lofgren in Nov. 5 Runoff for U.S. Congress

Longtime U.S. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren cruised to a commanding lead as ballots were counted for the March 5 primary election.

SanBenitocom logo From SanBenitocom...

03/06/2024
Image for display with article titled Slow Growth Candidates Win in San Benito County

San Benito County District 5 Supervisor Bea Gonzales has fallen to Ignacio Velasquez as of Wednesday morning’s ballot count in the March 5 primary election.

California Local Pin Marker From Benito Link...

03/06/2024
A 4-1 vote to hold meetings at 9:00AM instead of 6:30PM was passed with no public input and proceeds to a first public reading and final vote.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

03/04/2024
At least 24 Black women are running for seats in the California Legislature this year, resulting from years of work cultivating new leaders and growing confidence among voters.

SanBenitocom logo From SanBenitocom...

02/27/2024
Image for display with article titled Meet the Candidates: District 5 Supervisor

The San Benito County District 5 supervisor seat is in contention for the March 5 election in a race between incumbent Bea Gonzales and challenger Ignacio Velazquez.

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