Elections Archives

What are the rules around poll watching?

October 21, 2020 2:32 PM The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) What are the rules around poll watching on Election Day in the United States? President Donald Trump has been urging his supporters…

Leopold and Koenig compete for District 1 Supervisor seat in Santa Cruz

October 20, 2020 6:40 PM Drew Andre

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION) One seat on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is up for grab in November. Incumbent John Leopold is facing…

Debate commission adopts new rules to mute mics

October 19, 2020 5:16 PM The Associated Press

President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden will have their microphones cut off in Thursday’s debate…

Locations of Santa Cruz County mobile voting trailer announced

October 19, 2020 2:29 PM Avery Johnson

Santa Cruz County Elections has released where residents can find its VoteMobile trailer over the next…

How soon will we know the US election outcome?

October 19, 2020 12:48 PM The Associated Press

How soon will we know the results of the U.S.…

Three candidates vying for Salinas City Council District 6 seat

October 16, 2020 1:32 PM Josh Kristianto

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) A three person race is underway for the Salinas City Council seat in District 6 after sitting councilmember Tony Villegas…

California disputed ballot boxes removed, arguing continues

October 16, 2020 4:42 PM The Associated Press

The state Republican Party has removed their unstaffed, unofficial ballot drop boxes that state officials deemed illegal,…

Salinas Mayor

September 30, 2020 4:51 PM Avery Johnson

Chris Barrera Occupation: Businessman Relevant Experience: Partner/Owner, Windermere Valley PropertiesBoard Member, Monterey County Community…

Five candidates push to be the next Mayor of Salinas

October 15, 2020 9:12 PM Aaron Groff

Whoever is voted to be the next Mayor of the City of Salinas has a big job ahead of…

How the Central Coast is using its federal funds to improve the voting process

October 15, 2020 11:32 AM Drew Andre

In 2002, the Help America Vote Act was signed into law aimed at providing states with funding to improve the voting process and security. The law was…

Proposition 22 to decide future of app-based drivers in California

October 15, 2020 10:44 AM Megan Meier

For thousands of Californians, the car is their office. Companies like Uber, Lyft, Door Dash and Postmates allow workers to sign-on when they are…

Can a voter fix a problem on a mail-in ballot?

October 15, 2020 12:31 PM The Associated Press

If a ballot is tossed because of some issue — maybe a missing signature or it got damaged — will the voter be notified…

Former Councilmember Timothy Barrett takes on incumbent Clyde Roberson in Monterey mayoral race

October 14, 2020 11:59 AM Elisha Machado

Incumbent Mayor Clyde Roberson faces a challenger in the race for re-election: former councilmember, Timothy Barrett. Both candidates are running for…

More than 5 million people with felony convictions can’t vote in this year’s election, advocacy group finds

October 15, 2020 10:39 AM CNN

An estimated 5.1 million people across the US won’t be able to vote in the 2020 election due to a felony conviction, a new study…

Elections have a dress code, too. Here’s what can get you turned away from the polls

October 14, 2020 3:50 PM CNN

If you want to make a political fashion statement while voting, you may want to check your state rules…

Seaside Mayoral race heats up

October 14, 2020 12:01 AM Veronica Macias

SEASIDE, Calif. (KION) In Seaside, elections have been among the most intense races along the peninsula. There are two established candidates, the…

Criminal justice reform propositions on the 2020 ballot

October 13, 2020 11:59 AM Elisha Machado

Three criminal justice reform propositions will be put in the hands of California voters on the 2020 ballot, including plans that would restore…

Snapchat endorses youth vote ballot initiative in California

October 13, 2020 2:01 PM CNN

Snapchat endorsed Proposition 18, a ballot initiative in California that would allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections in the state as…

CAMPAIGN 2020: Hollister Mayoral Race

October 12, 2020 5:57 PM Megan Meier

Rolling green hills and sprawling agriculture fields: It’s why current Hollister Mayor, and 2020 candidate, Ignacio Velazquez, feels lucky to call…

Santa Cruz County takes voting on the road with new VoteMobile

October 9, 2020 3:15 PM Avery Johnson, Drew Andre

Santa Cruz County Elections will be bringing a mobile voting unit to communities around the area…

Hollister Mayor

October 6, 2020 10:55 AM Avery Johnson

Sal Mora Occupation: Mortgage Loan Officer Relevant Experience: CounselorJuvenile Corrections Officer, Santa Clara County Probation DepartmentSpecial…

Central Coast voters utilizing 24-hour drop off boxes to turn in ballots

Central Coast official ballot drop box locations

October 12, 2020 5:20 PM Avery Johnson

Monterey County These are available 24 hours per day until 8 p.m. on Nov. 3: Carmel Valley Library- 65 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel…

California officials say unofficial ballot boxes are illegal

October 12, 2020 11:40 AM The Associated Press

California election officials have received reports that unofficial ballot drop boxes were placed in several counties and…

San Benito County Supervisor, District 4

October 9, 2020 1:46 PM Avery Johnson

Bob Tiffany Occupation: Business owner Relevant Experience: Owner, Tiffany Motor CompanyPresident, Hollister Rotary Club 2000-2001President,…

Measure N could help bridge digital divide in Soledad

October 8, 2020 12:47 PM Megan Meier

After a unanimous vote by the Soledad Unified School District Board of Trustees, schools are back on the ballot for the November 3rd election.…

Measure N: Soledad Unified School District Student Technology and Teacher/Staff Housing Bond

October 8, 2020 3:02 PM Avery Johnson

The Soledad Unified School District Student Technology and Teacher/Staff Housing Bond would provide funding for the district to improve…

Monterey Mayor

October 8, 2020 12:59 PM Avery Johnson

Timothy Barrett Occupation: Educator/Nonprofit Director Relevant Experience: Former City CouncilmemberProduced local television showsNational…

Central Coast voters utilizing 24-hour drop off boxes to turn in ballots

October 7, 2020 11:17 AM Josh Kristianto

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) With early voting underway on the Central Coast, there are still lingering concerns from some residents about ensuring their…

Seaside Mayor

October 6, 2020 3:52 PM Avery Johnson

Ian Oglesby Occupation: Mayor Relevant Experience: Current MayorU.S. ArmyInvestigative Officer, California Department of Corrections and…

Proposition 20

October 6, 2020 1:23 PM Avery Johnson

If approved, Proposition 20 would amend criminal sentencing and supervision laws that into effect during former Gov. Jerry Brown’s…

Proposition 17

October 6, 2020 11:34 AM Avery Johnson

Proposition 17 would allow convicted felons who have finished their state or federal prison sentences to vote while they are on…

Proposition 15

October 6, 2020 10:06 AM Avery Johnson

Prop 15 changes the tax assessment of commercial and industrial property to increase funding for public schools, community colleges…

Joe Biden recognizes work of Seaside artists on social media

October 5, 2020 3:29 PM Megan Meier

Two Seaside artists recently received a shoutout from Presidential candidate Joe…

State Assembly, District 30

September 30, 2020 5:36 PM Avery Johnson

Robert Rivas Party: Democrat Occupation: State Assemblymember Relevant Experience: Current AssemblymemberMember, San Benito County Board of…

Santa Cruz City Council

October 5, 2020 5:21 PM Avery Johnson

Vote for four. Sandy Brown Occupation: University Instructor/Council Member Relevant Experience: Current City CouncilmemberCommunity-Labor Organizer,…

2 California ballot measures would expand voting rights

October 5, 2020 1:39 PM The Associated Press

Early voting in California began Monday and a pair of propositions on the Nov, 3 ballot would expand voting rights in…

Californians to vote on affirmative action with Prop 16

October 2, 2020 12:57 PM Megan Meier

Back in 1996, Californians approved Prop 209. It mandated that universities and government groups not consider applicants based on race, gender and…

Santa Cruz County Supervisor, District 1

October 1, 2020 3:06 PM Avery Johnson

John Leopold Occupation: District 1 Supervisor Relevant Experience: Current Supervisor for District 1Board Member, Central Coast Alliance for…

State Senate, District 17

September 29, 2020 4:06 PM Avery Johnson

John Laird Party: Democrat Occupation: Natural Resources Secretary Relevant Experience: California Secretary for Natural Resources, 2011-2019State…

Monterey County Elections: Mail-in ballots are safe way to vote

September 30, 2020 11:25 AM Josh Kristianto

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) The Monterey County Elections Department is prepping to send thousands of mail-in ballots to registered voters for the…

State Assembly, District 29

September 30, 2020 5:25 PM Avery Johnson

Shomir Banerjee Party: Republican Occupation: Physician/Engineer Relevant Experience: Practicing family physicianElectrical engineer Personal…

Monterey County Supervisor, District 4

September 22, 2020 5:43 PM Avery Johnson

Wendy Root Askew Occupation: Monterey County Supervisor’s Aide Relevant Experience: Aide to Monterey County Supervisor Jane ParkerMPUSD Trustee…

U.S. Representative, District 18

September 15, 2020 6:02 PM Avery Johnson

Anna G. Eshoo Party: Democrat Occupation: U.S. Representative Relevant Experience: Current Member of CongressChair of Health Subcommittee of the…

Political signs continue to be vandalized ahead of 2020 election

September 28, 2020 11:16 AM Megan Meier

The last piece of a “Trump 2020” campaign sign was taken down in Sand City,…

Registering to vote during the COVID-19 pandemic

September 22, 2020 4:02 PM Drew Andre

It is National Voter Registration Day, and it will look different for many voters this year during the COVID-19…

Campaign sign vandalism escalates in Seaside City Council race

September 18, 2020 10:34 PM Aaron Groff

SEASIDE, Calif. (KION-TV) This isn’t the first time campaign signs have been stolen, damaged or vandalized in the months leading up to an election,…

Voting options for fire victims in Santa Cruz County

August 31, 2020 11:49 AM Avery Johnson

About 35,000 people have been told to leave their homes as a result of the CZU August Lightning Complex…

Filing periods for numerous Monterey County elective offices extended

August 10, 2020 6:02 PM Avery Johnson

Monterey County Elections said the regular candidate filing period for the General…

Central Coast Comeback: How the pandemic will change voting in the November election

August 6, 2020 11:27 AM Drew Andre

Amid coronavirus concerns, voting by mail will likely see all-time turnout this November. Every registered voter in California will receive a…

California sets in-person voting rules under virus threat

June 3, 2020 2:29 PM The Associated Press

California is sending every registered voter a mail-in ballot for the November election, but the state will also establish hundreds of…