Santa Clara 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.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

10/04/2024
Image for display with article titled Silicon Valley School Board Candidates Divided on LGBTQ+ Issues

Candidates running for a Silicon Valley school board shared starkly different viewpoints on LGBTQ+ issues at a forum this week, disagreeing on whether teachers should notify parents about children’s preferred pronouns and gender identity.

Morgan Hill Times logo From Morgan Hill Times...

10/03/2024
Image for display with article titled Meet the Candidates: Morgan Hill City Council, District A

The Nov. 5 general election is just over one month away, and many voters will begin filling out and returning their ballots by mail and in person next week.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

10/03/2024
Image for display with article titled Election 2024: Former San Jose Mayor Ready to Step Into Higher Office

A crowd forms around Sam Liccardo in Palo Alto. In a few moments, beaming volunteers will deploy to knock on doors and make the case for San Jose’s former mayor as their next congressmember.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

10/02/2024
Image for display with article titled Meet the Candidates Running for Cupertino City Council

Cupertino voters will decide between seven City Council candidates vying for just two seats this November, with housing as a central, divisive issue.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

10/02/2024
Image for display with article titled Election 2024: Labor Advocate Runs for San Jose District 6 Seat

Olivia Navarro grew up watching her dad guide the Tamien Neighborhood Association in San Jose. This inspired her to lead groups within the Democratic Party — Chicano Latino Caucus, Stonewall LGBTQ+ and Movimiento Democratic Coalition.

California Local Pin Marker From Mountain View Voice...

10/02/2024
An explainer of the Mountain View Whisman School District parcel tax Measure AA on the November ballot.

California Local Pin Marker From Palo Alto Online...

10/02/2024
A look at the campaign finance disclosures from the candidates running for open seats on the Palo Alto Board of Education in the November election.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

10/01/2024
Image for display with article titled Election 2024: Willow Glen Native Seeks San Jose District 6 Seat

Michael Mulcahy helped keep the curtains rising at the Children’s Musical Theater in San Jose when he took over as executive director for almost a decade in 1993 — growing the youth arts center into the powerhouse it is today. He called the experience the role of a lifetime.

California Local Pin Marker From Palo Alto Online...

10/01/2024
Meet the five candidates running for three open seats on the Palo Alto Board of Education in the November election.

California Local Pin Marker From Mountain View Voice...

10/01/2024
Meet the nine candidates running for four open seats on the Mountain View City Council in the November election.

California Local Pin Marker From The Mercury News...

10/01/2024
Meet the candidates and incumbents running for seats on the Gilroy City Council in the November election.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

09/30/2024
Image for display with article titled Election 2024: Mountain View Official Runs for D5 County Seat

Margaret Abe-Koga grew up in San Mateo watching her parents live in a bubble.
As Japanese immigrants seeking a better life in the U.S., Abe-Koga's parents became enmeshed in the Japanese American community — but struggled outside of it and relied on her to translate English. 

California Local Pin Marker From Mountain View Voice...

09/30/2024
A look at candidates Sam Liccardo and Evan Low, running to represent Silicon Valley in the District 16 seat in the US House of Representatives in the November election.

California Local Pin Marker From Mountain View Voice...

09/30/2024
Meet the candidates running for the District 5 seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors in the November election.

California Local Pin Marker From Palo Alto Online...

09/30/2024
Candidates running for the Palo Alto City Council in November respond to policy questions.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

09/27/2024
Image for display with article titled Election 2024: Longtime Politico Could Land Santa Clara County D5 Seat

Sally Lieber jumped into politics at age 13, rallying in Detroit for former Michigan state Sen. Doug Ross between delivering newspapers. She caught the political bug early, and since then has held numerous posts in California. This November she wants to add another achievement to her lengthy resume: Santa Clara County supervisor.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

09/27/2024
Image for display with article titled Sunnyvale Candidates Talk Housing Issues Ahead of Election

The Sunnyvale City Council will make decisions on housing, transit and the city's budget in the near future — and candidates seeking elected office are sharing their approaches to governing.

California Local Pin Marker From The Mercury News...

09/27/2024
The Mercury News guide to the Proposition 2 $10 billion bond to build and repair public schools.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

09/26/2024
Image for display with article titled Election 2024: San Jose Official Wants to Keep Improving District 8

Domingo Candelas has hit the ground running since being appointed to represent District 8 on the San Jose City Council in 2023.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

09/26/2024
Image for display with article titled Election 2024: San Jose D10 Challenger Wants to Change the Status Quo

For George Casey, the impetus for him running for San Jose City Council came from an event that left him frustrated about why the city wasn’t doing more to protect its residents.

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