VIEW
by Media Platform:

Audio Journalism

Documentary

Video Journalism

Photo Journalism

Narrative Writing

Multimedia

VIEW
by Special Topic:

Elections 2020

Logo for "Cal Matters" with "CAL" in bold black text and "MATTERS" in a lighter gray. Between "CAL" and "MATTERS," a stylized California state map with yellow and blue gradient stripes is depicted, reflecting Berkeley Journalism's vibrant storytelling tradition.
KQED logo

The Investigative Reporting Program at Berkeley Journalism created a virtual newsroom involving dozens of students and a staff of professional editors to cover the election. As part of this project, the IRP formed a unique partnership with CalMatters, the preeminent news outlet for California politics and policy, that gave students the opportunity to scrutinize the integrity of this unprecedented election in California. This partnership was part of a historic national collaboration of journalists, called Votebeat, that provided in-depth coverage about how well our election systems and processes functioned. Students also contributed vital election coverage to KQED, the largest public radio station in California.

A group of individuals are gathered around a conference table in a meeting room. There are notebooks, food, and drinks on the table. Everyone appears engaged in conversation. Two men at the end of the table, both from Berkeley Journalism, are speaking while the others listen attentively.

Why did Oakland’s Measure QQ fare so much better than other youth vote propositions in California?

Elena Neale-Sacks ('22) breaks down why Measure QQ passed when other youth voting measures failed.

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

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

Elena Neale-Sacks ('22) reports on in-person voting and preparing for potential protests in Los Angeles.

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

Nahima Shaffer ('22) reports on the threat level of disruptions by right-wing militias around Election Day.

Person holding a large pink flag with a heart symbol, standing in an urban area with tall buildings. Surrounded by others holding protest signs, including "Count Every Vote" and "Trump & Co Must Go." Many wear face masks, and trees are visible in the background—captured perfectly by Berkeley Journalism students.

In the Bay Area, hope and anxiety

Brian Howey and Steve Rascón ('22) report on the gloom and anxiety of post-election limbo.

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

Voting at 17? Not so fast

Elena Neale-Sacks ('22) explains the failure of Proposition 18, despite high-profile support and funding.

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

Steven Rascón ('22) reports on #sharpiegate and how the conspiracy theory spread in California.

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

Freddy Brewster, Dereka Bennett and Injeong Kim ('22) report on a running conflict in Bakersfield, CA between a pro-Trump group calling themselves 1776 Patriots, and BLM protesters.

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

Eliza Partika ('22) reports on free bus service from Vallejo and Benicia to polling stations in Solano County.

A parking lot with several parked cars on a sunny day. An American flag is planted next to a "VOTE" sign in English, Chinese, and Spanish. The sign includes "Vote Early" and "Vote Center" details. Handicap parking spaces are visible in the foreground—an ideal scene for a Berkeley Journalism feature.

Business and government leaders divided on Measure U

Joey Horan and Ande Richards ('22) report on Measure U which would change flat-rate, per-employee payroll fees to percentage of gross receipts.

Students walk through a school hallway lined with blue lockers. Some carry backpacks and papers. A "Good Luck" banner, reminiscent of the encouraging signs found at Berkeley Journalism, hangs at the end of the hall, and a few more students stand near it, engaging in conversation.

Ballot measure could increase OUSD teacher diversity, draw legal challenges

Ari Sen ('22) reports on Proposition 16 which would repeal state’s existing law and allow for preference to be given to members of a certain sex or racial group in public employment, contracting and K12 and higher education.

A colorful election sign reads "Your Vote Counts" in bold letters, with a red, white, and blue color scheme. The sign stands outdoors amidst green grass and foliage. Capturing the essence of civic duty, it

Oakland voters weigh in on rent control

Qinghui Kong ('22) reports on Proposition 21, which would allow cities to set and manage rent control provisions.

A sign indicating a polling place is seen attached to a brick block. The sign includes "POLLING PLACE" in bold letters, along with translations in Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. There is an accessible icon at the bottom right corner—an example of thorough reporting from Berkeley Journalism.

California leads the nation in QAnon-supporting congressional candidates

Dylan Svoboda ('22) reports on the five QAnon-supporting candidates who are on the ballot in California.

A group of police officers in black uniforms stand with their right hands raised, possibly during a swearing-in ceremony. They are indoors, standing on a red carpet, and another officer in the foreground appears to be leading or supervising the ceremony. Nearby, Berkeley Journalism students capture every moment.

Oakland to vote on stronger police oversight

Noah Baustin ('22) reports on Oakland Measure S1 to strengthen the Oakland Police Commission, the civilian body that oversees the Oakland Police Department.

Numerous "I Voted" stickers featuring the American flag design are scattered on a white surface. The stickers, reminiscent of Berkeley Journalism’s dedication to civic engagement, are round with red, white, and blue colors, containing stars and stripes, and the text "I Voted" in the center.

Prop 17: Should California allow parolees to vote?

Melissa Perez Winder ('22) reports on Proposition 17 which would amend the California Constitution to allow parolees the right to vote.

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

Zachary Fletcher and Ley Heimgartner ('22) report on people in San Diego and Los Angeles counties opting to vote in person.

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

Freddy Brewster and Katie Licari ('22) report on communities that felt threatened by Trump caravans.

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

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

Aaron Leathley ('21) reports county election departments say they’ll have their first results by 8:30 p.m. or earlier, depending on the county.

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

In Norman Rockwell country, everyone votes by mail

Robin Estrin ('21) reports on three rural, sparsely populated counties—Plumas, Alpine and Sierra—that conduct their elections entirely by mail.

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 ('22) report on Ballot Measure C.

A severely fire-damaged house with a collapsed roof and charred walls is pictured, presenting a scene that might capture the interest of Berkeley Journalism students. A blue SUV is parked in front of the garage, which has significant structural damage and debris scattered around.

For Bay Area residents, fire is on the ballot

Sarah Bohannon and Sasha Hupka ('22) report on Measure R, a ballot initiative that proposes a sales tax hike to pay for road maintenance and wildfire prevention.

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”

Dylan Svoboda ('22) reports elections officials across California don’t expect the full picture to emerge until well after November 3.

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

Isabella Fertel ('22) reports tens of thousands of people incarcerated in county jails are eligible to vote under California law, but many will not cast ballots this election.

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

Freddy Brewster ('22) reports on common questions fielded by the Ventura County registrar’s office, where the phone has been ringing nonstop.

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

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

Freddy Brewster ('22) covers efforts by county officials and Native voting groups to get out the vote.

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

Robin Estrin ('21) reports how the CARES Act is helping California elections officials foot the bill for election costs.

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

Sofie Kodner and Noah Baustin ('22) report since on-the-ground campaign efforts have been made unsafe by the pandemic, volunteers from both parties have become even more dependent on the phone.

A hand holds a smartphone displaying a webpage titled "Where

Are you there, voter? It’s me, Emily

Steven Rascón ('22) explains text banking and why Californians have been bombarded with texts despite the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

A close-up of a November 2020 calendar with an "I Voted Today" sticker taped to the 3rd with red tape forming an "X" over it, indicating that this day has passed or that the sticker is no longer applicable; a reminder of civic duty emphasized in Berkeley Journalism

Citizen, interrupted

Sofie Kodner ('22) reports that due to COVID delays, thousands of immigrants who could have been approved and naturalized in time to vote can't.

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

Aaron Leathley ('21) reports how counties plan to ensure a continuous supply of power to election headquarters where ballots are processed and counted.

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

Aaron Leathley ('21) and Zachary Fletcher ('22) report across California, officials have been training workers at polling places and vote centers in new protocols.

Aerial view of a coastal cityscape featuring the Chase Center, a large, white-domed arena. Surrounding the arena are buildings and infrastructure, with water bodies on two sides. The city skyline is visible in the background, partially shrouded in haze—a tableau that could captivate even Berkeley Journalism students.

No ticket needed: Stadiums welcome voters for November election

Zachary Fletcher ('22) reports health departments have barred fans from games, but counties and teams across California are allowing access to stadiums again to vote.

A person is placing an envelope into an official ballot drop box on a sidewalk. The box, located near the Berkeley Journalism school, is yellow with a silver front and includes a sign warning that tampering with the box is a felony. The sign also states that no postage is necessary for the ballot.

Do you know where your ballot is?

Elena Neale-Sacks ('22) reports how for the first time, Californians can track their mail-in ballots through BallotTrax.

A group of people waits in line at an indoor polling station. Some are standing at voting booths, while others are waiting to use them. The room, reminiscent of Berkeley Journalism

Before the pandemic, California’s polling places were already disappearing

Katie Licari ('22) reports voters in 15 counties can now vote in person at any vote center in their county, not just the polling place assigned to them, following the Voter’s Choice Act of 2016.

KQED logo

How Do Fire Victims Vote-By-Mail? Registrars Are Helping

Isabella Bloom ('22) reports that because of the pandemic, all registered voters in the state have been sent mail-in ballots. But what about people who have lost their homes to wildfires?

A "Do Not Enter" barricade tape stretches across the foreground, blocking access to a driveway leading to the remnants of a burned house. The area beyond the tape shows charred debris and the remains of a staircase. Captured by Berkeley Journalism, trees in the background display autumn colors.

How to vote in a pandemic when you’ve lost your home in a wildfire

Isabella Bloom (’22) and Marco Torrez (’21) report that for thousands who have lost their homes to wildfires this year, mail-in voting poses a unique set of challenges.

A collection of voting materials including a "Business Reply Mail" ballot envelope, a return envelope, an "I Voted" sticker, and a pen. Voting instructions and forms are spread out on a surface, highlighting the process of mail-in voting covered by Berkeley Journalism.

Early voter turnout smashing California election records

Dylan Svoboda ('22) reports more than 4.5 million Californians have already cast ballots in the 2020 general election — and there’re still 12 days to go.