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Santa Cruz County Elections & Politics Articles



Good Times logo LOCAL NEWS
Keeley Jumps Out to Big Lead in Race for Santa Cruz Mayor

Former Santa Cruz County supervisor, state legislator has 77% of early votes

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Hernandez Takes Lead on Dutra in 4th District Race

Former Watsonville mayor holds 55% of the early votes for key South County seat

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Pellerin Starts Strong

Former Santa Cruz County Clerk is on her way to State Assembly seat

The Pajaronian logo LOCAL NEWS
Watsonville’s urban growth limit extension leads countermeasure

More Watsonville voters have elected to extend the city’s urban growth boundaries for the next 18 years rather than head back to the drawing board and determine a new growth plan, according to initial election results released Tuesday night. As …

The Pajaronian logo LOCAL NEWS
Pajaro Valley Unified: De Serpa jumps ahead, Schacher barely trailing

WATSONVILLE—Pajaro Valley Unified School District Trustee Area 1 incumbent Kim De Serpa took an early–and significant–lead as early results poured in, showing a 66.1% lead over her opponent Natalain Schwartz. In a small gathering at Cantine Winepub, De Serpa said …

Image caption: Levi's Stadium, which is owned by the city of Santa Clara and leased to the San Francisco 49ers, has become a virtual battleground.
49ers-Backed Santa Clara Councilmembers Accused of Cover-Up

The 49ers PAC spent an unprecedented $3 million on Anthony Becker, Sudhanshu “Suds” Jain, and Kevin Park's campaigns. Now they and two of their peers must respond to lack of transparency and cover-up charges from the Civil Grand Jury, and …

Image caption: Elon Musk is now in control of the world's most influential social media outlet. What happens next?
What Elon Musk Really Wants From Twitter

Elon Musk says he plans to make Twitter a haven for 'free speech,' but a look at his list of investors suggests that the world's richest person may have other reasons for purchasing the highly influential social media platform.

Santa Cruz Local logo LOCAL NEWS
Podcast: Meet the Capitola City Council candidates

Yvette Lopez Brooks, Joe Clarke, Enrique Dolmo Jr., Gerry Jensen, Alexander Pedersen respond to voters’ questions

Santa Cruz Local logo LOCAL NEWS
Podcast: Meet the candidates for Santa Cruz mayor

Joy Schendledecker and Fred Keeley respond to voters’ questions

Santa Cruz Local logo LOCAL NEWS
Podcast: Meet the Santa Cruz City Council District 6 candidates

Renee Golder and Sean Maxwell respond to voters’ questions

Press Banner logo LOCAL NEWS
Elections: Four Candidates Vie for Three SLVWD Seats

Voting day is on Nov. 8, and several candidates for the San Lorenzo Valley Water District Board of Directors are looking for your vote.  Two of the currently seated directors—Board President Gail Mahood, and Jayme Ackemann—will maintain their positions for …

Good Times logo LOCAL NEWS
An In-Depth Look at the District 4 Supervisor Race

Voters will decide between Felipe Hernandez and Jimmy Dutra

Good Times logo LOCAL NEWS
Around the County: City Council and Mayoral Races

As Election Day approaches, a snapshot of where Santa Cruz County races stand

The Pajaronian logo LOCAL NEWS
Watsonville’s urban growth is a key issue before voters

WATSONVILLE—This fall, Watsonville voters face a decision that has been 20 years in the making. Should the city’s urban growth restrictions put in place in 2002 be extended through 2040, or should residents and their elected leaders have an opportunity …

The Pajaronian logo LOCAL NEWS
Dutra: Democracy is on the ballot

By JIMMY DUTRA We have seen politics hit an all-time low in our community. Behavior that has been more common at the national and state level has arrived in our local politics. It has moved from “what I can do …

The Pajaronian logo LOCAL NEWS
Two face off for North Monterey County seat

MONTEREY COUNTY—Two candidates are vying for the District 2 seat on the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, an area that encompasses North Monterey County and parts of North Salinas, including the communities of Aromas, Castroville, Pajaro, Moss Landing, Prunedale, Royal …

Santa Cruz Local logo LOCAL NEWS
Podcast: Meet the Santa Cruz City Council District 4 candidates

Hector Marin, Scott Newsome and Gregory Hyver discuss affordable housing

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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