San Joaquin County Elections & Politics Digest

A look at Gary Knackstedt who is running for reelection to the Lodi Unified School District Board of Education.

Some Democrats are pushing bills that could put their colleagues on the hot seat in an election year. The authors say they’re representing their constituents and there’s never a perfect time for votes.

A look at the career of Susan Talamantes Eggman as she reaches the end of her last term as state senator from Stockton.

The Measure Q November ballot measure to increase the City of Manteca sales tax by three-quarters of a cent gained support from the Manteca Chamber of Commerce.

A look at how the City of Manteca plans to use facility usage fees and the hoped-for passing of the November sales tax measure to fund needed news and upgraded facilities.

Dozens of young people held a demonstration on August 17 in downtown Sacramento to protest the banking industry's contribution to the escalating effects of climate change.

As no challengers filed to run against three incumbent members up for reelection, the Ripon City Council cancelled the election for their seats and voted to reappoint them.

The Sacramento Bee explains Proposition 6, the initiative to ban involuntary servitude.

The Manteca City Council approved a 3/4 cent sales tax measure for the November ballot to fund a new headquarters building for the police department.

The Tracy City Council held a workshop on August 13 seeking to modify the Measure B business tax passed by voters in 2022.

The Sacramento Bee explains Propisition 36, the anti-crime measure on the November Ballot.

The Ripon City Council is working with the Ripon Consolidated Fire District to determine how to improve fire protection following the defeat of the Proposition 218 fire service funding measure.

Proposition 32 to increase the minimum wage from $16 isn’t as far-reaching as when it was first proposed. Fast food workers are already making more, and health care employees are on track. But worker groups are already pushing for more.

One incumbent faces no challengers while another will run against two.

After Ripon property owners voted down a parcel assessment to fund increased fire services, and Manteca voters consider a sales tax increase to boost local fire services, scrutiny increases over continued Manteca support of Ripon fire protection.

Manteca Mayor Gary Singh expressed concerns that a Manteca sales tax measure on the November ballot for improved city fire service would in effect subsidize fire protection in Ripon.

Property owners in the Ripon Consolidated Fire District declined to pass Proposition 218.

Five candidates are in the running, so far, for election to be Mayor of Lathrop on November 5.

If the $10 billion state bond measure to fund school facility upgrades is approved by voters on November 5, millions of dollars will trickle down to a list of approved local projects.

The last day that property owners in the Ripon Consolidated Fire District can vote on Proposition 218 is Thursday, August 8.

Legislators and Gov. Newsom are working behind the scenes to draft energy legislation before the end-of-the-month deadline.

A voter at a polling center at Santa Ana College in Santa Ana on March 5, 2024. Photo by Lauren Justice for CalMatters

Although the initiative process — proposing new laws via ballot measures — has been in California’s constitution for more than a century, its use was fairly uncommon until the 1970s.

Following discussion in their July 26 meeting, the Stockton City Council approved a resolution opposing the measure.

Delicato Family Wines has decided not to press forward with the November referendum, going ahead with lawsuit.

There never was much of a chance that California Gov. Gavin Newsom would be running for president this year, even if President Joe Biden were to step aside.

California failed to ban private detention centers. Now, it’s focusing on their working conditions, for immigrants who toil for $1 a day.

The Republican hopeful brought in more cash than Democratic rival Adam Schiff for the first time this campaign during the latest quarter, but still has less to spend.

CalMatters launched Digital Democracy in April, and its impact has rippled across the Legislature.

California lawmakers met into the night on July 3 to finish the November ballot before heading off on summer vacation until Aug. 5.

Much is expected of the California voter.

Small and low-income school officials say the bond measure deal is unfair. The money is allocated through matching grants, so wealthier districts that can raise more local funds will get more money from the state.