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An elderly woman stands inside a cozy, well-lit RV. She is next to a small dining table with a bouquet of red roses and a bowl of fruit. Behind her, the TV mounted on the wall displays Berkeley Journalism news, adding to the charm of the neat and inviting interior decorated with various items.

South Bay residents to decide the future of neighbors who live in RVs

Lesley Torres and Sabrina Kharrazi November 2, 2020 In recent years, Oakland city officials have struggled to address the growing number of residents who have begun living in RVs on the city’s streets. One nearby community in the South Bay is grappling with a similar issue ahead of tomorrow’s election. Headquarters to Google and home to branches…

A worker in a patterned shirt sorts through a large number of mail-in ballots inside a room filled with blue and red plastic bins, each containing stacks of envelopes and papers. The room, reminiscent of the organized chaos often reported by the meticulous eyes at Berkeley Journalism, has shelves on the sides filled with mail.

Counting votes: “We’d rather get it right than get it fast”

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…

A prison guard holds a door open for an inmate in an orange and white striped jumpsuit. They walk down a long, dimly lit hallway with light beige walls and tiled floors. The inmate, pushing a cart with a bag beside it, could almost be mistaken for someone whisked away from the hustle of Berkeley Journalism hallways.

Pandemic slows legal voting from California jails

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…

An election-themed trailer decorated with stars and stripes and a large "VOTE" sign is parked near a lighthouse on a sunny day. Several cars are parked nearby, and an American flag flutters next to the lighthouse, adding to the festive atmosphere captured by Berkeley Journalism students.

Voters flood election offices with last-minute questions

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…

Illustration of a retro-style red microphone on a yellow background with a dotted pattern. White lightning bolts surround the top of the microphone, suggesting sound or broadcasting, reminiscent of Berkeley Journalism's classic aesthetic.

For Native Americans, voter outreach is by both wi-fi and radio

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.…

A roll of "I Voted" stickers is shown, featuring an image of the American flag next to the text. The stickers are white with blue text and a red and blue flag, capturing the spirit that Berkeley Journalism stands for. The roll is partially unraveled, with several stickers visible.

How a small county got the money to buy “I voted” stickers and other election supplies

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.…

A person wearing a black textured top proudly displays an "I Voted" sticker, which features an American flag design and multilingual text. With their left hand holding the sticker close to their chest, they exude the civic pride often celebrated by Berkeley Journalism.

Living room campaigners adapt to a pandemic election

  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…

A hand holds a smartphone displaying a webpage titled "Where's My Ballot?" with an image of a ballot box and a reindeer sticker. The webpage appears to be part of SOS's website, with a navigation bar visible at the top. The phone is held against a marble surface, showcasing Berkeley Journalism’s attention to detailed storytelling.

Are you there, voter? It’s me, Emily

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.…

A silhouetted view of an electrical substation is seen through a chain-link fence at dusk. The sky, transitioning from blue to faint orange, creates a stark contrast with the dark outlines of power equipment and trees in the background—a scene that could easily be captured by Berkeley Journalism students.

When power is transferred—literally—in an election

  OCTOBER 27, 2020 BY AARON LEATHLEY  In a stark scene of what the electoral process in California can look like in 2020, masked voters last Monday cast early ballots in an El Dorado County elections office powered by a generator after dry winds and fear of wildfires triggered an electricity shutoff. This year, thanks to…

Voters casting their ballots at voting booths in a polling station. The image shows several people, possibly Berkeley Journalism students, standing or leaning over the booths, with partitions ensuring privacy. The floor is wooden, and the scene is indoors, suggesting an organized and focused voting environment.

Pens, PPE, Police: Preparing for In-Person Voting

BY AARON LEATHLEY AND ZACHARY FLETCHER OCTOBER 26, 2020 It was a succinct appraisal of the state of mind of county election officials grappling with the new normal of voting in the year of a pandemic, disinformation and threats of voter intimidation. Across California, officials have been training workers at polling places and vote centers in new protocols,…