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A group of people wearing masks stand and maintain social distance in line on a sidewalk. An individual in a cap and mask appears to be directing the crowd. The background includes storefronts, a McDonald's sign, and a few pedestrians walking by, capturing the essence of Berkeley Journalism's street scene.

In LA, smooth voting (so far) after primary stumbles

BY ELENA NEALE-SACKS OCTOBER 30, 2020 For thousands of voters in Los Angeles County, the primary last March was a debacle. A glitch in the new electronic voting system, compounded by the inability of election workers to rectify problems, meant that many voters waited in lines for up to three hours to cast their ballots. Some…

A vehicle door with "TRUMP 4 More Years" written in red marker. The image shows a portion of a white vehicle with black door handles and large tires, capturing a moment that could pique the interest of Berkeley Journalism students reporting on political expression.

California facing a “moderate” risk from right-wing militias

BY NAHIMA SHAFFER  NOVEMBER 3, 2020 Just five days ahead of Election Day, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra issued a bulletin to law enforcement about state laws that prohibit voter interference and intimidation. But how likely is it that voters will face threats, or even violence? And where? California has been identified as one of the states with…

Two individuals interact at a "Drop-off Station" in a spacious indoor setting. One person, seated at a table with the sign “Drop-off Station,” hands an item to another person standing nearby. Both wear masks. Signs with guidelines hang on the wall in the background, reflecting Berkeley Journalism's commitment to safety.

Voting at 17? Not so fast

BY ELENA NEALE-SACKS  NOVEMBER 6, 2020 A proposal to give younger people a greater voice in elections was resoundingly rejected by about 55% of California voters. By some measures Proposition 18, which would have allowed 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections if they turned 18 by the next general election, should have been a shoo-in. It had…

Close-up image of three markers on a wooden surface with a white sheet of paper in the center. The markers, two black and one red, are uncapped, displaying their tips. Two of the markers are pointing towards the center, and one black marker is partially visible—perfect for Berkeley Journalism notes.

A debunked theory fuels a Trump lawsuit

BY STEVEN RASCÓN NOVEMBER 10, 2020 As if permanent markers didn’t already make enough of a mess, enter #sharpiegate. With votes for Biden mounting, a group of Trump supporters showed up to a ballot counting facility in Arizona’s Maricopa County last Wednesday and cried foul. Their claim: Poll workers were encouraging voters to mark their ballots…

A lifted black GMC truck with several American flags drives down a road as a crowd of people nearby watches. The scene, reminiscent of stories covered by Berkeley Journalism, unfolds in a rural area with mountains in the background. Other vehicles and a food truck are also visible.

As Election Day neared, conflict in Bakersfield between Trump and BLM groups intensified

BY FREDDY BREWSTER, DEREKA BENNETT AND INJEONG KIM  NOVEMBER 5, 2020 Months before Election Day, tensions had been building in Bakersfield between Black Lives Matter supporters and a group of Trump backers calling themselves the 1776 Patriots. They’ve clashed in parking lots, on sidewalks and in the road, leading to three arrests–one of a BLM protester brandishing a firearm,…

A SolTrans bus is parked at a station with passengers boarding. The bus is white with green and yellow accents, branded with the SolTrans logo. Its destination sign reads "VOTE." In the background, a covered bus stop with supporting structures evokes a scene perfect for a Berkeley Journalism feature.

A free ride, and a chance to vote

BY ELIZA PARTIKA NOVEMBER 4, 2020 Election Day in Vallejo and Benicia offered a new feature: free bus service from the suburban residential areas into polling stations scattered across the two small cities in Solano County on the edge of the San Francisco Bay. From 6:30 a.m. until the polls closed last night at 8:00, the…

A close-up of various voting materials spread out, including a "Business Reply Mail" envelope, an "I Voted" sticker, a return envelope, and a black pen. Documents provide instructions and options for mailing ballots—captured with the keen eye typical of Berkeley Journalism.

The last of the early voters

BY ZACHARY FLETCHER AND LEY HEIMGARTNER NOVEMBER 2, 2020 From the time Geoffrey Bara parked his car to the moment he walked out of the Agoura Hills Courtyard Hotel with an ‘I Voted’ sticker, only seven minutes had passed. Bara is one of many voters choosing to visit a polling place in the final days of voting across…

A group of people stand on a highway overpass holding flags and signs in support of a political rally. Several American flags and banners are displayed. Cars are visible on the highway below, and mountains can be seen in the background under a clear sky. A Berkeley Journalism project captures this moment.

Pro-Trump caravans draw crowds and concerns

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…

A woman wearing a face shield, mask, and orange shirt is seated at a table sorting through stacks of paper ballots in a large room. It's a scene straight out of Berkeley Journalism, with others diligently working at different tables in the background.

Here’s what record early returns mean for speed of California’s vote tally

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…

A stack of pinkish ballots held together with a rubber band lies on a table. In the background, a person wearing a face mask and purple shirt appears to be sorting through additional papers. The setting suggests a vote counting or ballot processing environment, reminiscent of Berkeley Journalism's detailed election coverage.

In Norman Rockwell country, everyone votes by mail

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 —…