In summary
CalMatters partnered with colleges, libraries, and local publications to bring VotingMatters events to the Bay Area.
With the 2024 general election only a week away, CalMatters hosted more VotingMatters events last week than any previous week: All across the Bay Area, we held events at colleges and libraries, teaming up with local publications and even a sorority.
In San Francisco on Monday, our session with San Francisco Public Press brought new and old voters together at Dogpatch Hub. Student workers shared opinions about the minimum wage for Proposition 32, while folks who have called the Bay Area home for over 70 years gave their opinion on rent controls when discussing Proposition 33. CalMatters CEO Neil Chase gave opening remarks at the event.
The next day at Lafayette Library, over 80 attendees shared food and drink at the Don Tatzin Community Hall. Seated at tables of five or six, discussions of the state propositions varied across the room: Some groups were in complete agreement on how they would vote, while others were split. CalMatters Editor-in-Chief Kristen Go, a regular at Lafayette Library, joined in the discussion.
VotingMatters events also came to San Francisco State University, the Century City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. which was hosted by reporter Byrhonda Lyons and drew more than 100 people. Events were also held at branches of the San Mateo County Libraries, including Foster City, Atherton, North Fair Oaks, Millbrae, and Brisbane.
The last scheduled VotingMatters events before the election are:
10/28 at 6 pm – Virtual – Santa Rosa Press Democrat, presented by CalMatters Capitol reporter Sameea Kamal, register here.
10/28 at 6 pm – Bay Area – Pacifica Sharp Park Library.
10/29 at 3 pm – Bay Area – Half Moon Bay Library.
10/29 at 5 pm – Fresno – CalMatters CEO Neil Chase will speak at Fresnoland’s Ballots and Boos event, at Tioga-Sequoia Beer Garden. More information here.
10/30 at 11 am – Bay Area – Belmont Library.
10/30 at 6 pm – Bay Area – East Palo Alto Library.
11/1 at 7:30 pm – Virtual – National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, register here.
11/4 at 12 pm – Bay Area – Contra Costa College, at Fireside Hall.
Please monitor our events page as details can change on short notice.
Interested in hosting your own VotingMatters event? We’ve created an event kit to help anyone host similar events for their own communities. For questions about the event kit, or specific events we’re hosting, please contact dhu@calmatters.org.