Instagram story viewer> @calmatters> Posts

CalMatters

@calmatters

61.3K

followers

714

following

Your nonprofit & nonpartisan state newsroom dedicated to explaining how government impacts our lives.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Monday Oct. 19 is the last day to register online to vote. You can still register to vote after that day, but you will need to register in person and vote with a provisional ballot. So, to keep it simple, just register online!

You will need a California ID and the last few digits of your SSN to register once you jump on to the website to register, which is registertovote.ca.gov.

Remember, our CalMatters Voter Guide is nonpartisan and answers practically any question you might have. And if that's not working for you, just drop us a comment and tell us what you need!

The last day to vote is on Election Day, Nov. 3 at 8PM.

There are many things you can vote on across the ballot, but you don't need to vote on everything; you can skip some.

Hope this helps.

Are you already registered to vote? by @calmatters

210

9

21 hours ago

¿Más deuda para que California tenga vivienda más barata? 🏠

La Proposición 1 pide autorizar $11,250 millones en bonos. Sus defensores dicen que ayudaría a miles de familias, veteranos y trabajadores del campo. Sus críticos dicen que el problema de fondo sigue intacto.

Mira lo que está en juego antes de votar 👇

Para más información, visita CalMatters.org by @calmatters

9

0

a day ago

Prop 39 would require voters to show government-issued identification at the polls and order election officials to verify that all registered voters are U.S. citizens. Voters who cast a mail-in ballot would need to give the last four digits of a government ID, such as a driver’s license number.

California currently requires residents to provide an identification card and Social Security number to register to vote, but does not request it at polling places. It was placed on the ballot by conservative groups.

Images courtesy of the California Democratic Party, the California Republican Party and ACLU.
Photo by Fred Greaves
Polling graph via @latimes
Music by Healing And Spirit Health & DJ Hoobidibble taken in Sacramento, California by @calmatters

68

5

a day ago

Want to host your own VotingMatters event? 🗳️ Comment KIT and we’ll DM you the link to request a free kit with everything you need to lead a nonpartisan conversation about voting. No election expertise required!

VotingMatters is an issue-focused series of in-person events we produce across the state with local news organizations, colleges, libraries, churches, nonprofit organizations and people like you. Together, we host nonpartisan discussions about voting, policy and issues that matter to Californians.

Our free event kit includes a presentation slide deck, hosting tips, our voter guide zine, marketing materials and more. Just bring people together and help facilitate the conversation.

You can also request your kit at https://calmatters.org/votingmatters-kit/ or email us at votingmatters@calmatters.org.

#California #vote #election2026 taken in California by @calmatters

80

16

2 days ago

Opponents of Proposition 40 have a message for voters: Don’t be fooled. The billionaire tax is a “Trojan horse” for new taxes on all Californians, ads proclaim.

We fact-checked their claims. Do you think Prop 40 is a Trojan horse?

Video footage courtesy of No on Prop 40 ad.
Music by Ausku Studio taken in Sacramento, California by @calmatters

1k

130

3 days ago

Will young voters turn part of the Central Valley blue?

Bernie Sanders came to Bakersfield to rally support behind a young progressive.

Randy Villegas, 31, is a community college professor hoping to unseat Republican incumbent Rep. David Valadao in Congress, who has represented the area for more than 12 years.

Sanders held court at Bakersfield High School where he came to rally support for Villegas and other Democratic candidates. The contest in the 22nd Congressional District in central California is one of the most closely watched in the nation.

Across the country this summer, Democratic primary voters enthusiastically rallied behind candidates who champion universal healthcare, refuse money from corporate political groups and demand the U.S. stop enabling what they call Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

But many of those candidates have thrived only within the relative safety of a blue district or state. This Central Valley-based district, a historically conservative, low-turnout area, presents a greater challenge. The district is considered a true toss-up this November as Democrats seek to take control of the House.

The Valadao campaign declined CalMatters’ request to interview the congressmember.

Villegas’ Sunday event in some ways gave Republicans what they have wanted; campaign operatives have been salivating at the chance to tie Villegas to far-left socialist ideology.

“I think it’s not a great idea to have this far left-leaning of a candidate,” said Cathy Abernathy, a Bakersfield-based Republican strategist who supports Valadao, though she does not live in his district. She said Sanders and Villegas woo voters with promises of free government-funded healthcare and other programs, and voters aren’t well educated enough in economics to interrogate how those programs will be funded.

“These things he’s promising have to be paid for,” Abernathy said.

Images:
Manuel Orbegozo for CalMatters
Valadaoforcongress.com media package
Maya Miller, Michael Lozano, Larry Valenzuela for CalMatters

Sounds: A Chorus of Crickets, Reject, Cancel tone - AMAGURINEKO by @calmatters

334

33

9 days ago

Election season is here, and there’s A LOT to unpack.

What’s on the ballot? What do all those propositions actually mean? Why does everything sound so complicated?!

We got YOU!

Join @uscbayarea @chicasinthebay and @calmatters for a FREE evening of crafts, community, good food, and conversations about what’s on the ballot this election season!

🗳️ Whether this is your first election or you’ve voted before, come curious and ready to learn!

Here’s what we’ve got planned:

🗳️ Ballot Breakdown: CalMatters, an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit newsroom, will help us make understand what’s on the California ballot. So bring your questions!

🎨 Get Crafty: Design your own buttons and write postcards as part of a voter outreach activity.

🌮 Taco Tuesday: Enjoy a light dinner on us! Additional food and drinks will be available for purchase from @_mamaspapas_

💌 Community & Conversations: Meet new people, exchange ideas, and enjoy an evening of creativity and connection.

Bring a friend, bring your questions, and come ready to learn something new. We can’t wait to see you at @temescalbeer

🔗 Link in bio to register by @calmatters

3

3

9 days ago

Proposition 40 would require the estimated 200 Californians whose net worth exceeded $1 billion at the start of this year to pay a one-time 5% tax.

If propositions 41 or 42 earn more votes than Proposition 40, this measure would be nullified.

Music by Ted D’souza & Dani Audiomix taken in Sacramento, California by @calmatters

2k

193

11 days ago

This event is for educational and informational purposes.

California elections can be a lot to keep up with. So we are making some space to figure it out together.

Join India Currents for VotingMatters 2026, a community conversation using CalMatters voter guide resources to break down key races, issues and election information in a clear, useful way.

📅 Saturday, Oct. 10
🕒 3 to 5 p.m.
📍 The Eden Gardens

Come with questions. Leave with a better map of what is on the ballot and where to find reliable information.

RSVP link in bio! by @calmatters

34

1

12 days ago

California Gov Gavin Newsom, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra and Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton are all voting No on Prop. 40, California’s billionaire wealth tax.

Here’s what each said about the proposition.

Photos by Office of the Attorney General of California, Martin do Nascimento/KQED and Manuel Orbegozo.
Video clips courtesy of No on Prop. 40 and KQED.
Screenshots via Fox Business, New York Times and Gov. Gavin Newsom
Music by Onpu Honpo taken in California USA by @calmatters

3k

346

15 days ago

Ready to vote? ✏️

Join @abridged_pbskvie as we welcome @calmatters to break down, analyze and answer your burning questions about this year’s general election. Did we mention we'll have free food and merch giveaways? Plus, live music, lawn games and a Spanish-language partner, depending on the location.

Check out our voter guide at abridged.org/vote.

Tickets are free, but space is limited. RSVP for a voting event near you at the link in our bio. by @calmatters

78

6

15 days ago

Proposition 40 would require the estimated 200 Californians whose net worth exceeded $1 billion at the start of this year to pay a one-time 5% tax. Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, the group that put the measure on the ballot, projects that it would raise roughly $100 billion over five years. That money would be earmarked primarily for healthcare, with some reserved for food assistance and education. If propositions 41 or 42 earn more votes than Proposition 40, this measure would be nullified. taken in California by @calmatters

630

54

16 days ago