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.

California Local Pin Marker From The Mercury News...

02/15/2025
Read on to learn more about Irene Smith, pro tem judge, entrepreneur, and former IBM employee now candidate for the open San Jose City Council District 3 seat.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

02/05/2025
Image for display with article titled Meet the Candidates Running for District 3 San Jose City Council

San Jose voters living downtown will decide in April who they want to represent them on the City Council for the next two years.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

02/04/2025
Image for display with article titled San Jose Council Appointment Helps Mayor’s Agenda

The mayor of the Bay Area’s largest city may have scored a limited window to push through his agenda with the temporary appointment of District 3 Councilmember Carl Salas.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

01/30/2025
Image for display with article titled West Valley School District Changes Election Process

A West Valley high school district is changing how it elects board members to improve representation and rebuild community trust.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

01/30/2025
Image for display with article titled Santa Clara County Files Lawsuit Over Birthright Citizenship

Santa Clara County officials have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

01/28/2025
Image for display with article titled San Jose Council Appoints Temporary Downtown Representative

San Jose officials have chosen a temporary downtown representative while voters wait to pick a permanent replacement in a special election later this year.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

01/22/2025
Image for display with article titled Short-Term San Jose Council Appointment Down to 5 Candidates

San Jose officials have narrowed down the list of candidates who might temporarily fill the vacant downtown seat on the City Council from 11 to five.

California Local Pin Marker From Local News Matters...

01/22/2025
Santa Clara County supervisors could relax restrictions on how much they can raise for their reelection campaigns.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

01/21/2025
Some schools destroyed years ago in the Sonoma and Butte fires are just now reopening. The long, expensive process of rebuilding in LA may eat up much of the money voters approved in November for school repairs statewide.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

01/21/2025
California’s Democratic leaders set aside tens of millions of dollars to challenge President Donald Trump’s executive orders and policies.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

01/20/2025
With assurances that “sunlight is pouring over the entire world,” President Donald Trump was sworn into office Monday for his second term. He wasted no time taking potshots at California.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

01/16/2025
Image for display with article titled Santa Clara County Weighs Raising Campaign Donation Limits

Santa Clara County supervisors could relax restrictions on how much they can raise for their reelection campaigns.

San Jose Inside logo From San Jose Inside...

01/14/2025
Image for display with article titled Seven Candidates Begin Race for San Jose District 3 Council Seat

If no candidate receives a majority on April 8, the top two candidates will run against each other in a special runoff election on June 24. The winner will serve the remainder of the term through 2026.

California Local Pin Marker From Los Altos Town Crier...

01/14/2025
Read on to learn what former Jonathan Weinberg had to say about his 2024 term as Los Altos Mayor at a recent Los Altos Community Coalition meeting.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

01/13/2025
Image for display with article titled Campbell Appoints First Latino Mayor

Campbell Mayor Sergio Lopez never wanted to be in the spotlight. He's the son of Mexican immigrants who migrated to Campbell from Michoacán, speaking little English. After his parents lost their restaurant and had to foreclose on their home during the Great Recession, he felt compelled to enter public service to tackle cost-of-living challenges at their roots.

California Local Pin Marker From Milpitas Beat...

01/13/2025
The Milpitas Beat sat down with newly elected Milpitas City Council member William Lam for a Q&A. Read on to learn what he has to say.

Metro Silicon Valley logo From Metro Silicon Valley...

01/08/2025
Image for display with article titled Zoe Lofgren: The Weeklys Interview

After celebrating the holidays with her family and recovering from a bout of Covid, Zoe Lofgren flew back to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 2 to begin her new term representing California’s 18th Congressional District in the US Congress. The district follows Highway 101 from San Jose to south of King City and includes parts of Morgan Hill, Gilroy, San Benito County and Watsonville as well as Salinas and the cities of Monterey’s South County.

California Local Pin Marker From The Mercury News...

01/08/2025
The first candidates have filed paperwork to be considered for appointment to the vacant District 3 seat on the San Jose City Council. Read on to learn more about them.

California Local Pin Marker From The Mercury News...

01/08/2025
In their January 7 meeting, the Sunnyvale City Council swore in new and reelected members and selected a new vice-mayor. Read on to learn what's ahead for the council.

San Jose Spotlight logo From San Jose Spotlight...

01/07/2025
Image for display with article titled San Jose D3 Candidates Raise Funds for Special Election

Candidates in the upcoming special election to represent San Jose’s downtown core are sharing early fundraising numbers as the deadline to apply for the race comes to a close.