California Proposition Guide
Confused about what Prop. 23 means for AB32? And what's the difference between a tax and a fee? Don't panic.
Online Voter Resources
- California Voter Guide
See what's on the state ballot, learn about the propositions, legislative and congressional races and find out how to cast your vote.
- SmartVoter.org
Learn about your local ballot measures, and find your polling place.
- Project Vote Smart
Database of the voting records, campaign contributions, public statements and interest group ratings for state and national officials.
- MapLight.org
Database connecting campaign contributions, voting records of every legislator on every bill, and which interest groups support and oppose various bills.
- TheHill.com: Endorsements
See who and where campaign contributions are coming from.
- PollingReport.com
Tracks public opinion polls from various major media outlets and polling organizations.
- Register to Vote
Download voter registration forms.
Capital Notes
KQED's John Myers blogs from Sacramento on the election.
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Election Coverage from KPCC
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Election 2010: Bay Area Propositions and Races
Forum | Wednesday, May 16, 2012, 9:00 AM
Prop. 28: The Term Limits Debate
On June 5, California voters will decide whether to adopt new rules on term limits. Proposition 28 would reduce the total number of years lawmakers can serve in the Legislature, while also allowing them to serve out their term in one house. Supporters say it would increase government stability and preserve institutional knowledge. Critics say it will empower incumbents and keep new faces and ideas out of Sacramento.
This Week in Northern California | Friday, Mar 16, 2012, 7:30 PM
California Attorney General Kamala Harris
Atty. General Kamala Harris in conversation with Belva Davis on her continuing efforts to help bring relief to struggling homeowners, a privacy policy for mobile devices, her views on criminal justice, same-sex marriage, and her role as co-chair of President Obama's re-election campaign.
This Week in Northern California | Friday, Feb 10, 2012, 7:30 PM
Interview with John Burton
Belva Davis speaks with John Burton, Chairman of the California Democratic Party, about some of the pressing issues facing the party as Democrats gather for their convention this weekend in San Diego.
This Week in Northern California | Friday, Feb 03, 2012, 7:30 PM
News Panel: The latest on Facebook's IPO announcement, Occupy Oakland, and more
On Saturday an estimated 50,000 voters in Nevada will participate in the "first in the West" Republican presidential caucuses. We'll hear why Californians make the trek to Nevada to help get out the vote, and which candidates may benefit from their efforts. Speculation runs rampant in the wake of Facebook's IPO announcement. The multi-billion dollar offering has the potential to turn up to a third of Facebook employees into millionaires. Could it boost California's struggling economy? In the wake of heated clashes during Occupy Oakland protests last Saturday, an Alameda county judge orders activists to stay away from the plaza where protesters burned an American flag stolen from City Hall.
Forum | Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011, 9:00 AM
Election Results and Analysis
Who won, who lost and how did the ballot measures fare? Guest host Scott Shafer takes a look at results in Bay Area elections including analysis of ranked-choice voting and the political clout of Asian-Americans.
The California Report | Wednesday, Nov 09, 2011, 8:50 AM
SF Keeps Counting, Vernon Votes to Reform
Though a final result from ranked-choice voting won't be available for days, interim San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee came close to declaring victory at his election party last night. And voters in the tiny town of Vernon approved four measures designed to avoid the kind of corruption that made them the subject of headlines earlier this year.
This Week in Northern California | Friday, Oct 28, 2011, 7:30 PM
Ranked Choice...Easy as 1, 2, 3?
San Francisco voters passed ranked choice or "instant runoff" voting in 2002. But this is the first time it will be put to the test in a competitive mayoral race. And, as KQED's Scott Shafer discovers, it's changing not only the way voters cast their ballots, but also how candidates campaign for their vote.
This Week in Northern California | Friday, Oct 28, 2011, 7:30 PM
News Panel: The latest on Occupy Oakland, the SF Mayor's Race, and more
Governor Brown proposes a sweeping pension reform plan, raising the retirement age and trimming benefits for many state workers. The police crackdown in Oakland gets national attention. In the aftermath, both sides ponder what's next for the Occupy movement. The San Francisco Mayor's Race grows heated amid allegations of voter fraud, questionable funding practices and discrimination.
This Week in Northern California | Friday, Oct 14, 2011, 7:30 PM
News Panel: Gov. Brown signs and vetoes bills, Anthony Batts resigns, and early voting kicks off in SF
Gov. Brown signs and vetoes hundreds of bills, and the state falls short more than $700 million in expected revenues. Oakland's police chief Anthony Batts announces his resignation after two challenging years leading the department. Early voting kicks off in San Francisco's first mayoral race using ranked-choice voting, with eleven major candidates vying for the job. Netflix abandons its three-week old plan to split its services into two for online streaming and DVD-by-mail, but keeps its sixty percent price increase after losing both subscribers and stock value.
Forum | Wednesday, Oct 12, 2011, 9:00 AM
Assessing San Francisco's Mayoral Race
Early voting began Tuesday in San Francisco, and with a crowded field of 16 candidates, voters have a lot of research to do in picking their mayor. We review the major issues in the race, assess the candidates and discuss the impact of ranked-choice voting.
This Week in Northern California | Friday, May 06, 2011, 7:30 PM
Pension cuts, Wells Fargo protests, and the crowded mayoral race
Two new proposals on pension reform in Sacramento could cut up to 40% from California public employee pension benefits. Protestors angry over Wells Fargo's foreclosure policies disrupt the company's annual meeting in San Francisco. The already crowded San Francisco mayoral race is off to a dramatic start, as nine major candidates face off in their first debate.
Forum | Tuesday, Jan 18, 2011, 9:00 AM
Asian-American Political Engagement
In recent months, the profile of Asian-Americans in elected office in the Bay Area and beyond has risen, with newly sworn-in mayors in Oakland and San Francisco, and an increased presence in Sacramento. We look at the political evolution, and what it may signify.
KQED News | Tuesday, Dec 21, 2010, 8:33 AM
Asian-Americans Enjoy New Political Clout in Bay Area
There?s a new buzz among Asian Americans in the Bay Area over recent big city political victories. Oakland elected its first Asian American mayor, and San Francisco may be poised to do the same.
This Week in Northern California | Friday, Nov 19, 2010, 8:00 PM
The Next Mayor of Oakland
A conversation with Mayor-elect Jean Quan about her surprise victory, her vision for Oakland and her plans for dealing with the city's problems.
Forum | Thursday, Nov 11, 2010, 9:00 AM
Oakland Mayor-elect Jean Quan
In a surprising upset, Oakland Councilwoman Jean Quan has defeated former State Senate President Don Perata in the Oakland mayor's race. Quan joins us in the studio.
Forum | Wednesday, Nov 03, 2010, 9:00 AM
Election Results
Our election coverage continues with a discussion of local and state results from Tuesday's balloting.
KQED News | Tuesday, Nov 02, 2010, 10:54 PM
Alameda County Update, Lt. Governor and SF Board of Supervisors Races Tight
We look at the most recent results from Alameda County, which have Berkeley's Measure R winning handily. In the Oakland mayoral race, former State Senate leader Don Perata is leading with 38 percent of the vote. That's with a third of the vote counted. We also look at the lieutenant governor's race and at the San Francisco Board of Supervisors with Corey Cook, professor in the Department of Politics at the University of San Francisco.
KQED News | Tuesday, Nov 02, 2010, 10:30 PM
Pension Reform Measures Trailing in SF, Winning in San Jose
San Francisco's Proposition B continues to trail tonight. The measure aims to get city workers to contribute more to their pensions and pay more for health benefits. With nearly a third of the vote counted, Prop. B appears to be failing with 57 percent voting "no." But in San Jose, another pair of pension reform measures are winning.
KQED News | Tuesday, Nov 02, 2010, 9:54 PM
Examining Mayoral Races in Oakland, Richmond
In the Oakland mayor's race, former State Senate leader Don Perata is facing city councilmembers Jean Quan and Rebecca Kaplan, communications professor Joe Tuman and six other candidates. With 11 percent of the ballots counted, Perata is leading with 38 percent. We also examine Richmond's mayoral race. Host Cy Musiker talks with Corey Cook, professor in the Department of Politics at the University of San Francisco.
KQED News | Tuesday, Nov 02, 2010, 9:30 PM
Bay Area Ballot Measure Roundup
We get the latest numbers on ballot measures around the Bay Area.
KQED News | Tuesday, Nov 02, 2010, 9:04 PM
Oakland Mayoral Race
Among the issues we're following tonight is Oakland's mayoral race. KQED's Mina Kim is at the Z Cafe with former State Senate leader and mayoral candidate Don Perata.
KQED News | Tuesday, Nov 02, 2010, 7:48 PM
Alameda County Registrar Confident on Ranked-Choice Voting
Voters in Oakland, Berkeley and San Leandro are using ranked-choice voting for their mayoral and city council candidates for the first time this election. Alameda County's registrar says his office has done lots of outreach to educate voters on the new system.
KQED News | Tuesday, Nov 02, 2010, 7:19 PM
Santa Clara County Voter Turnout Steady
Voter turnout in Santa Clara County has been steady according to Elma Rosas, spokeswoman for the registrar. She says the country is on track to have a majority of voters vote absentee.
KQED News | Tuesday, Nov 02, 2010, 6:19 PM
Alameda County Debuts Ranked-Choice Voting
Three cities in Alameda County -- Berkeley, Oakland, and San Leandro -- debuted ranked-choice voting this year. So far, voting officials say, people coming to the polls seem to be dealing well with the new system.
KQED News | Tuesday, Nov 02, 2010, 6:19 PM
Oakland Voters Unravel Complex Ballot
Oakland voters are unraveling a ballot that includes a 10-candidate mayoral field, a new system of voting and ballot measures that could determine the future of the Police Department and health of the city's school district.
KQED News | Wednesday, Oct 27, 2010, 6:33 AM
San Francisco's Prop L: Sit-Lie
San Francisco's Haight district is at the center of a controversial ballot measure. Proposition L would make it illegal to sit or lie down on any city sidewalks during daytime hours.
KQED News | Tuesday, Oct 26, 2010, 4:32 PM
Pelosi Upbeat About Democrats' Election Chances
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she's heartened by reports that Democrats are turning out in good numbers in states with early voting.
KQED News | Tuesday, Oct 26, 2010, 12:04 PM
Contra Costa Ballot Errors
About 3,000 Contra Costa voters are getting new elections materials, after a mistake at the elections office. Officials say human error marred nearly 1,500 voter guides, and nearly 1,500 vote-by-mail ballots.
KQED News | Tuesday, Oct 26, 2010, 8:33 AM
Election Could Bring Big Changes to SF City Hall
With four members of the Board of Supervisors termed out, and Mayor Newsom possibly heading for Sacramento as Lt. Governor, San Francisco politics could be facing a big shake up.
Forum | Monday, Oct 25, 2010, 9:00 AM
Election 2010: The Cost and Benefits of Desalination
Is there a desalination plant in Marin County's future? There are two measures on the November ballot that address that question. But Marin is not the only county in California faced with a potential shortage of fresh water. We explore the economic and environmental costs and benefits of converting sea water into drinking water.
KQED News | Thursday, Oct 21, 2010, 8:33 AM
School Parcel Taxes Examined
Public school districts across the state are feeling the squeeze of budget cuts and many Bay Area voters are being asked to fill the gap in the upcoming election. A total of 11 parcel tax measures will appear on various local ballots. Parcel taxes are much more common in the Bay Area than in southern California.
KQED News | Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010, 8:33 AM
Rank Choice Voting in Oakland
This November second voters in San Leandro, Oakland and Berkeley will use ranked choice voting for the first time in city races. As part of KQED News election coverage, Tara Siler reports the instant run off system is a real wild card in the Oakland Mayoral race.
Forum | Tuesday, Oct 05, 2010, 9:00 AM
Election 2010: San Francisco Ballot Measures
On Election Day, San Francisco voters will be weighing in on a range of hot-button issues, including reforming city employee pensions, allowing non-citizens to vote on school board elections and banning sitting or lying on sidewalks. With early voting already underway, our guests discuss and debate the ballot measures.
Photos From KQED Reporters
Video Explainers and More
KQED's This Week in Northern California has been following the state's most important races and ballot initiatives. Explore the video archive to see our complete coverage.
The Prop. 23 Money Trail
Can California Get on Track?
For Educators
Visit our Civic Engagement Resources for Educators page for classroom-ready lesson plans, and other resources.
