San Joaquin 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...

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.

California Local Pin Marker From Tracy Press...

05/03/2024
Statements by two Tracy City Councilmembers have been issued announcing their candidacy for mayor.

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 Manteca Bulletin...

04/30/2024
Three possible candidates are exploring a run for a seat on the Manteca City Council.

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.

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 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 LodiNews...

04/04/2024
First time candidate and Lodi native Jordan Giannoni will put her Doctorate in Education from John Hopkins University to use representing her area on the school board.

California Local Pin Marker From LodiNews...

04/03/2024
The San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters certified the March 5 Election and reported 128,492 ballots cast and a voter of 34.9%.

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 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 LodiNews...

03/27/2024
Despite problems with cameras in the March 5 elections and the opposition of some members of the community, the Board of Supervisors voted to use funds from a state election security grant to continue use of live streaming cameras in future elections.

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 CapPublicRadio...

03/27/2024
If elected, Yee would be the first woman to become California's governor. She is a San Francisco native born to Chinese immigrant parents. Yee, who currently serves as vice chair of the California Democratic Party, says she wants to tackle affordability, bring transparency to Sacramento and address the climate crisis.

California Local Pin Marker From Manteca Bulletin...

03/26/2024
The staff of Representative Josh Harder have intervened on behalf of constituents in 2,627 cases so far during the 118th Congressional session started in 2023.

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.
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