Search query: california
Is Bernie Passing the Torch to AOC for the 2028 Presidential Election?
US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) continues to make waves in US politics. She is co-headlining rallies across the country with US Sen. Bernie Sanders as part of the "Fighting Oligarchy Tour," which has drawn large crowds even in GOP strongholds.
17 Apr, 2025
-
4 min read
Analysis: Popular Oakland Ranked Choice Voting System Used to Decide City's Next Mayor
On Tuesday, Oakland, CA used ranked choice voting (RCV) in special elections for mayor and City Council District 2 – marking Oakland’s 5th mayoral election using RCV. A 2024 poll found that 77% of Oakland voters are satisfied with the election method.
16 Apr, 2025
-
3 min read
On Top of New Tariffs and Proposed Vape Ban, Calif. Cannabis Retailers Also Face an Excise Tax Hike
As California’s legal cannabis industry heads into the second half of 2025, store owners are facing a combination of rising costs that could further disadvantage them against the state’s still-thriving illicit market.
16 Apr, 2025
-
3 min read
Oakland Votes in Pivotal Mayoral Election with Ranked Choice Voting at the Center
In a critical special election, Oakland voters are casting their ballots on April 15 to replace recalled Mayor Sheng Thao. The election will be decided using ranked choice voting (RCV) and determine who leads the city through 2027, as Oakland faces mounting challenges.
15 Apr, 2025
-
5 min read
Tariffs and Vape Ban Could Push California’s Cannabis Market Further Underground
California’s legal cannabis industry, long weighed down by high taxes and regulation, is facing new threats: steep federal tariffs on key imports and a proposed statewide ban on disposable vapes.
11 Apr, 2025
-
3 min read
NM Lawmakers: Open Primaries Bill Is About Boosting Voter Participation
KOAT 7 in New Mexico featured an investigative report on the impact of open primaries now that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed SB 16 into law, a bill that opens the state's primaries to more than 330,000 independent voters.
09 Apr, 2025
-
2 min read
A Recent Court Decision Could Reshape the Legal Battle over Closed Primaries
Litigation is often seen as a zero-sum game of wins and losses. In that lens, a recent 11th Circuit decision that upholds Florida’s closed primary system has been declared another win for political parties and closed primaries. But it’s the wrong framing.
03 Apr, 2025
-
4 min read
New Report Finds Universal Vote at Home States Nearly Double Turnout in 2024 Primaries
The National Vote at Home Institute (NVAHI) released a new report Monday that states with Universal Vote at Home (VAH) saw nearly double the voter turnout in the 2024 primary elections compared to states that didn't offer it.
31 Mar, 2025
-
2 min read
Mayors of America's Largest Cities Embrace Ranked Choice Voting
Mayors of big cities across the country are coming out in support of ranked choice voting (RCV). RCV is currently used in 46 U.S. cities, including the most populous cities in seven states.
31 Mar, 2025
-
3 min read
With 10 Million Votes, Proposition 36 Takes Effect in California, Ushering in New Approach to Drug and Theft Crimes
In November 2024, California voters in all 58 counties approved Proposition 36, known as the "Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act," with approximately 68.4% in favor.
24 Mar, 2025
-
3 min read