Voting | Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, inc.

California Offers ‘More Days, More Ways’ to Vote in November 4 Election: Secretary of State, Weber Offers Voting Tips, Debunks Ballot Rumor

by Kathleen Untalan | Oct 23, 2025 | Bakersfield, Elections, Local, Statewide, Voting | 0

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Newsom and Elected Officials Make Case to Black Press for Prop 50

by Stefi Mar | Oct 14, 2025 | Bakersfield, Features, Los Angeles, State, Valleys, Voting | 0

On Oct. 7, members of the California Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), and Gov. Gavin Newsom briefed Black media across the state, urging support for Proposition 50 – The Election Rigging Response Act – ahead of the upcoming special election.

A Victory in Voting Rights

by Stefi Mar | May 20, 2025 | Bakersfield, Features, Los Angeles, Valleys, Voting | 0

The NAACP Legal Defense Fund is taking a victory lap for a Supreme Court win against Alabama’s discriminatory redistricting practices that targeted Black voters there. Attorney Deuel Ross for the Legal Defense Fund says, “The Supreme Court ruled that Alabama had violated the Voting Rights Act by chopping up that Black population and declining to create two majority Black Districts.”

SAVE Act: A New Weapon Against Black and Brown Voters

by Stefi Mar | Apr 22, 2025 | African Americans, Bakersfield, Front Page, Latino, Los Angeles, Valleys, Voting | 0

Since the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965, Republicans have worked relentlessly to chip away at protections for voters — particularly Black Americans, other people of color, and women. Those efforts reached a fever pitch after Barack Obama’s historic victories in 2008 and 2012, which sparked what many observers say was the modern white supremacist movement and reignited GOP efforts to suppress the vote.

African American Mayors Set to Convene in Nation’s Capital for Landmark Conference

by Stefi Mar | Apr 21, 2025 | African Americans, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Valleys, Voting | 0

The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) will host its 2025 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., from Wednesday, April 16 through Friday, April 18. This year’s gathering at the Omni Shoreham Hotel marks the largest annual convening of African American mayors in the United States.

Oakland Mayoral Race: Barbara Lee Accepts Victory With “Responsibility, Humility and Love”

by Stefi Mar | Apr 21, 2025 | African Americans, Bakersfield, Features, Los Angeles, Valleys, Voting | 0

As a candidate for mayor, former U.S. Representative Barbara Lee released a “10-point plan” last week to reassure residents that she will tackle Oakland’s most pressing challenges.

AARP Pushes Back as Social Security Administration Slashes Services and Staff

by Stefi Mar | Mar 31, 2025 | Bakersfield, Features, Voting | 0

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is moving forward with a sweeping overhaul of its operations, including plans to slash its workforce by 12 percent, shut down six regional field offices, and eliminate key phone services—changes that have sparked fierce opposition from AARP and alarmed millions of older Americans. Beginning March 31, the SSA will require that individuals applying for or managing their Social Security benefits confirm their identity online or in person at a local office, effectively ending the ability to complete specific critical tasks by phone.

Secretary of State Reports “Generous Turnout” in November Election

by Stefi Mar | Dec 17, 2024 | Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Valleys, Voting | 0

On Dec. 13, California Secretary of State (SOS) Shirley N. Weber officially certified the Nov. 5 General Election results from all 58 counties.

Elections 2024: Sec. of State Weber Explains Results, Ballot Counting Process

by Stefi Mar | Nov 19, 2024 | Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Politics, State, Valleys, Voting | 0

Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber hosted a webinar on Nov. 14 to update Californians on the ballot counting process for the 2024 General Election.

Election Proves Black Americans Have No Allies

by Stefi Mar | Nov 12, 2024 | African Americans, Bakersfield, Donald Trump, Features, Kamala Harris, Los Angeles, Political Campaigns, Valleys, vice president, Voting | 0

Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s words mirrored Shirley Chisholm’s groundbreaking observation decades ago: “Of the two handicaps, being Black is much less of a handicap than being a female.” Crockett’s reflection on Donald Trump’s resounding victory over Vice President Kamala Harris pointed to what many saw as a dissonance between the candidate and the country’s decision.