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San Benito County Elections & Politics Overview



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EPIC has a bold vision: ending poverty in California by focusing on the voices of people who personally experience the realities of economic scarcity in an affluent state.

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Santa Cruz Goes Ahead With Soda Tax in Defiance of State Law

05/09/2025

Last week the Northern California beach town of Santa Cruz enacted a tax on sodas, ice teas and other beverages with added sugar. Voters approved the 2-cent-per-ounce tax in November, despite the beverage industry pouring at least $1.2 million in opposition.

When Will Democratic Lawmakers Make California More Affordable? Later, Leaders Say

05/04/2025

It’s been five months since California’s legislative leaders deemed affordability an “urgent” issue for the session. So far: committees, bills, but few results

California Local Pin Marker Recent Articles

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
Gilroy Council Schedules Another Public Hearing for New Districts

The Gilroy City Council last week decided to add another public hearing to its scheduled outreach efforts to create new districts that will take effect in the 2026 and 2028 elections.

Benito Link logo LOCAL NEWS
Fact Check: The Hollister Guardians ‘People Won’ Flier

Lea este artículo en español aquí.A political mailer by the Hollister Guardians group, which has distributed numerous fliers over the past year containing misleading information, was distributed during the week of April 7. The flier includes numerous false and disparaging …

Benito Link logo LOCAL NEWS
San Benito High School District Applies for Prop 2 Grants

Lea este artículo en español aquí.In June 2024, the San Benito High School District placed two bonds, measures L and M, on the Nov. 5 ballot to fund the building of a new campus and modernization of Hollister High School. …

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
Hundreds in South County Tell Trump, Musk ‘Hands Off!’

Hundreds of people in Morgan Hill and Gilroy hit the streets April 5 to deliver the message that they are not happy with President Donald Trump and Elon Musk as part of the nationwide “Hands Off!” protests.

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
Dozens of Map Drafts Submitted for Gilroy District Election Options

The City of Gilroy held its third public hearing on district based elections on April 7, where the city council reviewed and discussed draft maps submitted by the public more than a week earlier.

Benito Link logo LOCAL NEWS
COLUMN: San Benito County Clerk-Recorder Announces Survey for Local Businesses and Residents

This column was contributed by Francisco Diaz, County Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. Lea este artículo en español aquí.Dear San Benito County Residents,As we continue to improve the services provided …

Benito Link logo LOCAL NEWS
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren to Hold Virtual Town Hall on March 16

Lea este artículo en español aquí.On March 16 at 1:30 p.m., 18th District Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren will hold a virtual town hall to discuss “federal funding freezes, some of Trump's executive orders, DOGE, the House Republicans' budget bill, tariffs and …

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
Gilroy City Council Transitions to District Elections

The Gilroy City Council will transition to district elections after receiving a demand letter under the California Voting Rights Act.

Image caption: Braver Angels members discuss election reform.
Bridging the Great Divide

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

Benito Link logo LOCAL NEWS
San Benito County Residents Participate in ‘Not My President’ Protest

Lea este artículo en español aquí.San Benito County residents joined nationwide protests against President Donald Trump and his administration on Feb. 17, Presidents Day. The “Not My President” demonstrations occurred near the Safeway store in Hollister and in front of …

Featured

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.
There are more than 300 community service districts in California.
Community Services Districts, Explained
Areas that the county overlooks can form their own local governments.
California continues to work on legislation that would make voting easier.
Voting Rites
And more bills are on the way to help you make your mark on Election Day.
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
What causes the cycle of homelessness and crime, and how to stop it.
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
From its beginnings in the Gold Rush, the state Supreme Court continues to define the state today.
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?
The Goddess of Democracy is alive and well in California, but that hasn’t always been true.
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