There is an important message:

This Holiday Season, Donate to Santa Cruz Gives.

Elections & Politics Image

Santa Cruz County Elections & Politics Articles



Good Times logo LOCAL NEWS
De Serpa Runs for Supervisor

Several candidates tossed their hats in the ring in early 2024 when Zach Friend announced his departure from the District 2 seat on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.

Santa Cruz Local logo LOCAL NEWS
Santa Cruz Local Election Guide Launches

SANTA CRUZ >> Ballots for the Nov. 5 election are expected to be mailed this week in Santa Cruz County.
Santa Cruz Local’s Election Guide has clear, comprehensive candidate comparisons, and the most thorough explanations of Santa Cruz County ballot …

Image caption: Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr., a staunch defender of voting rights.
The Attack on the Popular Vote

In more than 30 states, it’s harder than ever to vote this year. But in California, it’s never been easier.

Good Times logo LOCAL NEWS
$525 Million in School Bonds on November Ballot

School districts in Pajaro Valley, Live Oak, Soquel, Bonny Doon and Scotts Valley are asking voters to approve $525 million in school bonds. The districts cite degraded plumbing, electrical issues and leaky roofs as some of the problems in outdated …

KSQD logo LOCAL NEWS
Community Members Discuss Housing Affordability and the Battle Over Rent Control

Talk of the Bay host Len Beyea leads a discussion about housing affordability and, in particular, the rent control initiative on California's November ballot, Proposition 33. Participants include Lira Filipini, Rick Longinotti, and Lee Brokaw.
Proposition 33 on the November …

The Pajaronian logo LOCAL NEWS
An Interview With the District 2 Supervisor Candidates

Several candidates tossed their hats in the ring in early 2024 when Zach Friend announced his departure from the District 2 seat on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors.

The Pajaronian logo LOCAL NEWS
PVUSD Board Candidates Grilled During Forum

Roughly 50 people gathered in the cafeteria at Landmark Elementary School Monday night for a forum featuring four candidates running for seats on the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees for the Nov. 5 election.

Santa Cruz Local logo LOCAL NEWS
Zayante Fire Proposes More Staff, New Equipment With Measure T

Measure T asks voters to help fund more firefighters and equipment upgrades in the Zayante Fire Protection District. (Allison Gasparini — Santa Cruz Local file)
ZAYANTE >> Zayante Fire leaders want to bring back more full-time staff and replace aging …

Santa Cruz Local logo LOCAL NEWS
Santa Cruz County Settles Sales Tax Lawsuit, Outlines Spending

Santa Cruz County supervisors plan to discuss how to spend new sales tax revenue on Tuesday. (Marcello Hutchinson-Trujillo — Santa Cruz Local file)
Santa Cruz County Supervisors meeting

Good Times logo LOCAL NEWS
Scotts Valley Fire District Puts $24.5 Million Bond on Ballot

Last November, the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District asked Scotts Valley voters to approve a bond to build a new fire southside station and provide a better defense against wildfires. The measure lost by just 12 votes, leaving the district …

Santa Cruz Local logo LOCAL NEWS
Measure U Would Reduce San Lorenzo Valley Water Bills, but Could Slow Repairs

Measure U on the Nov. 5 ballot measure would repeal a recent charge in San Lorenzo Valley Water District and cap some future increases. Repairs recently began on a pipeline near Ben Lomond to a water treatment plant that was …

Press Banner logo LOCAL NEWS
SVFPD Asking Voters to Approve $24.5 Million for Station

Last November, the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District asked Scotts Valley voters to approve a bond to build a new southside fire station and provide a better defense against wildfires. The measure lost by just 12 votes, leaving the district …

The Pajaronian logo LOCAL NEWS
Two Vying for Seat on PVUSD Trustee Area 6

Jessica Carrasco is challenging incumbent Adam Scow for the Trustee Area 6 seat on the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees. in the Nov. 5 election.

Santa Cruz Local logo LOCAL NEWS
School Board Races Participation Drops in Santa Cruz County

The Live Oak School District Board of Trustees will not have an election this November. Its three open board seats will be appointed due to a lack of candidates. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local file) 
SANTA CRUZ >> Just …

KSQD logo LOCAL NEWS
How California Works: Building Democracy in the Golden State

“How California Works: Building Democracy in the Golden State” 
“Be Bold America!” Sunday, August 25, 2024 at 5:00pm (PT)
Wishing that things worked one way or another is not the same as knowing how things work. It’s when we all …

Santa Cruz Local logo LOCAL NEWS
Capitola Voters to Weigh Sales Tax Hike

Capitola voters in November will consider a sales tax increase to help fund city services. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file)
CAPITOLA >> Capitola voters will decide whether to raise the city’s sales tax to 9.25% from 9% in …

Santa Cruz Local logo LOCAL NEWS
Soda Tax Heads to Santa Cruz City Ballot

Soda prices could rise in the City of Santa Cruz in 2025 if voters approve a new city tax. (Tyler Maldonado — Santa Cruz Local)
SANTA CRUZ >> Santa Cruz city voters in November will decide whether to tax the …

The Pajaronian logo LOCAL NEWS
Trina Coffman-Gomez Running for Watsonville City Council District 6

Four years after she left the Watsonville City Council, having served the maximum two terms, Trina Coffman-Gomez is again running for the District 6 seat.

Santa Cruz Local logo LOCAL NEWS
How (And Why) to Run for School Board in Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz City Schools has three school board seats on the Nov. 5 ballot. (Jesse Kathan — Santa Cruz Local)
SANTA CRUZ >> School board trustees play key roles in local government, helping ensure that school districts adhere to the …

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.
Join Us Today!