BY FREDDY BREWSTER AND KATIE LICARI  NOVEMBER 2, 2020 Up and down the state from Humboldt to Riverside counties, supporters of President Donald Trump took to the streets in cars, trucks and other vehicles on the last weekend before election day. In caravans labeled the “Red Wave,” they were honking and yelling out their support for the president’s…

BY LEWIS GRISWOLD AND AARON LEATHLEY NOVEMBER 2, 2020 For political junkies, the pandemic might have at least one upside: You can expect to know pretty quickly after California polls close how record early voters are breaking for the presidential election and the propositions. “I do think it will be all vote-by-mail or mostly,” Chris Miller, spokesman for…

BY ROBIN ESTRIN NOVEMBER 2, 2020 As of Sunday night, 70 percent of voters in Plumas County had returned their ballots. The figures were similarly high in Alpine and Sierra Counties, hovering near 65 percent and dwarfing the statewide average of 49 percent. What do Plumas, Alpine and Sierra have in common? These three counties —…

BY DYLAN SVOBODA  OCTOBER 30, 2020 Lea este artículo en español. It’s the weekend before Election Day. Elections officials across California are already processing the 9 million-plus ballots returned thus far. But don’t expect the full picture to emerge until well after November 3. Counting all vote-by-mail, provisional and same-day voter registration ballots, in addition to those…

BY MICHAEL LOZANO AND ISABELLA FERTEL  OCTOBER 30, 2020 Jose Armendariz, 30, has never been able to vote. Sentenced to 90 years to life in prison at 16, Armendariz is barred from casting a ballot by California’s felony disenfranchisement laws. But after learning that many of those behind bars can cast ballots, he has become an inside organizer…

BY FREDDY BREWSTER OCTOBER 30, 2020 “Can I still register to vote?” “What if I never received my ballot?” “When will we know the results?” Those are among the most common questions fielded by the Ventura County registrar’s office, where the phone has been ringing nonstop. Between 600 and 800 calls come in daily, said Registrar…

BY FREDDY BREWSTER OCTOBER 29, 2020 Although California is home to the largest Native American population in the United States, voting has always been problematic. This year, the pandemic — and the state’s decision to mail ballots to every California voter — has created new issues for tribal lands, whose residents often lack traditional mailing addresses.…

BY ROBIN ESTRIN OCTOBER 29, 2020 Twenty-four electronic poll books to check voters in quickly: $45,000. One high-capacity letter opener to process an onslaught of mailed-in ballots faster than human hands: $34,000. Six stainless-steel ballot boxes with anti-tamper protection: $21,261. Seven kits of disinfectant and protective gear to shield poll workers and voters from Covid-19: $2,500.…

  BY SOFIE KODNER OCTOBER 28, 2020 Betsy Guthrie used to lead campaign phone bank trainings in loud, crowded houses sprinkled with snacks and buzzing with energy. Not this year. Ms. Guthrie is alone in the guest bedroom of her home in Marin County, shouting into a computer while fiddling with screen share. “I don’t know…

BY STEVEN RASCÓN OCTOBER 28, 2020 Yes, that political campaign text message is from a real person. At least, that’s what it says. For months, Californians have been bombarded with text messages from multiple political campaigns pleading for money and votes. But many recipients question whether these texts are sent by bots or are even legal.…