Politics — The California Magazine https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/ California business, technology, real estate, and culture — reporting on the people building the state's economy. en-us © 2026 The California Magazine Fri, 04 Sep 2026 08:18:06 GMT How a California recall election works https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/politics/how-a-california-recall-election-works/ https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/politics/how-a-california-recall-election-works/ Mon, 31 Aug 2026 07:10:16 GMT A recall qualifies on signatures, not on cause. What happens after it qualifies has changed, and the mechanics decide the outcome as much as the politics do. Dana Whitfield Politics How a California ballot initiative qualifies, and what it costs https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/politics/how-a-california-ballot-initiative-qualifies/ https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/politics/how-a-california-ballot-initiative-qualifies/ Sat, 29 Aug 2026 21:18:34 GMT Anyone can propose one. Getting it in front of voters requires hundreds of thousands of valid signatures within a fixed window. Dana Whitfield Politics How a bill becomes law in California, and where most die https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/politics/how-california-legislation-becomes-law/ https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/politics/how-california-legislation-becomes-law/ Sat, 29 Aug 2026 21:18:34 GMT Two houses, committee gauntlets, fiscal review and a governor's signature. The overwhelming majority never reach the last step. Dana Whitfield Politics How CEQA review works, and why it takes so long https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/politics/how-ceqa-review-works/ https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/politics/how-ceqa-review-works/ Sat, 29 Aug 2026 21:18:34 GMT California requires environmental review before most discretionary approvals. The document is rarely the delay; the litigation risk is. Dana Whitfield Politics How to file a California Public Records Act request, and what to expect https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/politics/how-california-public-records-act-requests-work/ https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/politics/how-california-public-records-act-requests-work/ Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:33:24 GMT Most California government records are public by default. The Act is short, the process is free, and the main obstacle is knowing how to ask. Dana Whitfield Politics