Sameea Kamal
CalMattersSameea Kamal is a reporter at CalMatters covering the state Capitol and California politics. She joined CalMatters in June 2021 from the Los Angeles Times, where she was a News Desk editor. Sameea was one of three 2020 IRE Journalist of Color fellows, and previously worked for the Center for Public Integrity. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and her master’s degree in journalism from Columbia Journalism School.
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Shut out from winning statewide offices, the state GOP is seeking to capitalize on parents’ anger to win local school board races in 2022 and motivate Republican voters. The party’s “Parent Revolt” program is its most ambitious school board candidate recruitment and training program ever.
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In California elections, it only takes a handful of signatures and votes for legislative write-in candidates to get on the November ballot. Eleven made it this year, though some won very little support.
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A bill negotiated by environmentalists, the plastics industry and lawmakers is keeping a California recycling measure off the ballot. The bill sailed through the Assembly on Wednesday night and the state Senate on Thursday morning, and the proponents withdrew the initiative just before the deadline.
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California Republicans rallied at their state convention over the weekend, hoping to win a statewide office for the first time since 2006 and help the GOP retake control of Congress. But divisions between pro-Trump, conservative and traditional factions were difficult to ignore.
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The Secretary of State’s office is requiring election ballots and other voter information to be translated into fewer languages. Advocacy groups are alarmed and urging action in time for the June primary.
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California’s independent redistricting commission was slammed on social media and pummeled in public meetings. But its new maps don’t face any lawsuits, unlike in many other states.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders agree to restore California paid sick leave for COVID-19. Here’s what you need to know.
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As the Legislature reconvenes this week, Californians can expect lawmakers to continue focusing on housing and climate, plus COVID-19, healthcare and how to spend another budget surplus.
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California voters have the brand new districts they’ll use to elect their members of Congress and state legislators, after the state’s independent redistricting commission voted unanimously Monday night to approve its final maps.
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California’s independent redistricting commission is struggling to finish new congressional maps. While its deliberations are contentious, Texas is being sued over its maps, pushed through by the Republican legislature and governor.
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The independent citizens panel isn’t just being criticized for the legislative and congressional districts it’s drawing. It’s already in court over alleged secret meetings and studies. Now, it’s facing questions over its spending and budget.
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California’s citizens redistricting commission is designed to be nonpartisan, but its final congressional and legislative maps could change party politics. This week, the commission is reviewing lots of public comments and considering potential changes.