San Benito County Elections & Politics Articles

Local agencies and organizations will host local families and residents with food, music, raffles, face painting and more at the Voter’s Choice Act Kickoff celebration on April 2. The event will take place 11am-2pm on the patio of the Hollister …

The San Benito County Board of Supervisors on March 8 were unable to come to a consensus on whether or not to add a sales tax measure to the November ballot, requesting more information on the county’s finances. Among the …

Travel, food, true crime politics—there’s a show for everyone. Here are some top-rated podcasts that focus on some aspect of California culture.

Organizers of a statewide land-use initiative, which includes the support of some South Valley officials, announced Feb. 18 that they are now eyeing the 2024 ballot. The “Our Neighborhood Voices” initiative seeks to amend the California Constitution to allow local …

How a controversial U.S. Supreme Court ruling created a national, legal sports gambling industry which now sees California as its own 'Holy Grail.'

Members of a far-right militia group backed a recall election against a conservative Republican to take control of the Board of Supervisors in Shasta County. Here’s how it happened.

In 2022, California voters may see as many as four ballot initiatives to make betting on sporting events legal. Here’s how they would change sports gambling, and who's behind each separate measure.

The San Benito County Democratic Central Committee (which represents registered Democrats throughout the county) has created a position for a youth  member—someone between the ages of 16 and 25.  This step has been taken because young people have an interest …

A group of local residents is once again attempting to get San Benito County voters more involved in local land use decisions, citing ongoing growth challenges and a history of excessive influence by developers. On Jan. 31, proponents submitted a …

As the decennial redistricting process wrapped up last month, the concern from The World’s Salad Bowl started to mount. Local politicians, regional business giants and other community leaders asked how a plan to pair the international agricultural hub with the …

The San Benito County district attorney’s and public defender’s offices square off in court every day. Here’s how the system works.

Though they are elected officials, county sheriffs have less accountability than any other law enforcement officials. Here's why, and what California is doing about it.

Made up of 19 volunteers, the civil grand jury is supposed to operate free from influence or interference by local officials.

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

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

Inflation is on the rise, with prices in some parts of California their highest in 13 years. Here’s what caused this round of inflation, and how can it be stopped.

Much of San Benito County’s fire protection is the responsibility of the City of Hollister. Here’s how the county is trying to change that, and start a single special fire district.

These organizations aim to help citizens engage with their governments.

California’s history of people getting directly involved in the affairs of government dates back more than a century, but it has sometimes been coopted by business and other interests.

The 7th annual Monterey Bay Economic Partnership’s “State of the Region” conference covered a wide range of topics from child care, to the COVID pandemic, to folding houses.