You are part of something bigger. A neighborhood, a community, a county, a state, a country. All of these places are made stronger when we engage with each other in conversation and participate in local decision-making. But where and how to start? Introducing Public Matters.
KPBS Voter Hub Special Election 2025:
A big decision awaits some voters this April as the race for San Diego County’s Supervisor District 1 seat heats up. Are you ready to vote? Check out the KPBS Voter Hub to learn about the candidates, the key issues the board is facing and how you can make your voice heard.
Documenters
The San Diego Documenters, an independently funded program of the nonprofit newsroom inewsource, is putting the “public” back in public meetings. The program trains and pays San Diegans to document community meetings and keep watch over local government.
San Diego is now less blue
Fewer voters in San Diego and Imperial counties voted for the Democrat presidential candidate in 2024 than in the two elections before that. And while President-elect Donald Trump mostly held his coalition, He saw gains in some communities where Democrats lost ground.
As part of the Public Matters partnership, our journalists spoke to people who live in the places that shifted the most to hear what influenced their voting decisions.
Why It Matters: Exploring Key Political Issues in San Diego
What’s going on with the La Jolla independence fight
Water Authority faces existential crisis
How the new San Diego County proposal for a tax increase would work
San Diego proposed trash fee is lower, but not by much
Mayor’s office: Ex-COO alleging discrimination was fired
City of San Diego urging CARE Court reforms
Why hotel room taxes are going up
Trash fees for San Diego homeowners
Why are San Diego water rates about to soar?
Why the Padres are involved in the new minimum wage fight
Are San Diego Schools Recovering from COVID Learning Loss? | VOSD Schools Guide
More than 100 people in San Diego in jail due to Prop. 36
La Jolla takes first step toward secession. What happens next?
Why Mayor Gloria was blaming the county in his speech
Why It Matters: Could La Jolla secede from the city of San Diego?
Why It Matters: What’s going on with San Diego’s Civic Center glow up?
Why It Matters: The shake-ups coming in San Diego leadership
Why It Matters: How Prop. 36 could increase demand for treatment beds in San Diego
Why It Matters: How Trump’s election will impact San Diego’s Republican Party
Why It Matters: How Proposition 5 would impact local cities like San Diego
Why It Matters: What exactly are the school bonds on San Diego ballots?
Why It Matters: What are independent expenditures and how are they impacting local races?
Why It Matters: Breaking down the rift between Carl DeMaio and San Diego GOP
Why It Matters: Can Republicans make a comeback in San Diego?
Public Matters is led by KPBS, inewsource and Voice of San Diego. These three independent, nonprofit news organizations are partnering to share content, conversation, and events that ensure all San Diegans understand their opportunity to participate in the democratic process and that it means more than voting in an election. The initiative provides news stories on politics and governance including the areas of housing affordability, public safety, neighborhood improvements and social justice; facilitated, in-person discussions around important issues that often divide us; and resources to help you make a difference in your community. At its core, it is about reminding us that we have a shared humanity, and together we are empowered to make positive change.