"Hundreds of people gathered Saturday morning on beaches, in neighborhoods and along riverways to participate in the second-annual Pitch In All Santa Cruz Cleanup Day."

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"California officials say that over 30 jurisdictions across the country have refused to certify local election results or threatened to since 2020. That hasn’t happened yet in the Golden State. A bill introduced in the Legislature intends to keep it that way."

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"After a restful holiday break I’m returning to your inboxes — and state lawmakers are also returning to Sacramento today to begin the new legislative session in earnest."

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""That means women will comprise 49% of the state's legislature, or exactly one seat shy of gender parity."

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"California will not let our values regarding protecting our environment, standing up for our immigrants who contribute to our economy and communities, supporting LGBTQ+ rights and safeguarding our special education programs be obliterated..."​

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"State Assembly members represent their communities at the California Legislature in Sacramento. The 80 members of the state Assembly write and vote on state bills, serve on policy committees and vote on the annual state budget."

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"Incumbent and longtime Santa Cruz county clerk Gail Pellerin is running for reelection against Republican challenger and retired Monte Sereno mayor Liz Lawler, the same opponent Pellerin faced in the previous election — and beat  68% to 32%."

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"Santa Cruz Democrat Gail Pellerin has been named “Assemblymember of the Year” by the National Union of Healthcare Workers for her work fighting for parity in how mental health is treated compared to other health conditions."

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"Taking action to address the use of deepfakes and other deceptive digitally generated or altered content in election campaigns, Governor Gavin Newsom today signed three measures"

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"California is about to bestow an honor on a type of mollusk that resembles a fruit and a crustacean often served with a side of butter."

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"Representing California's 28th District, State Assemblymember Gail Pellerin was inspired to run for office because she noticed a lack of women representing Santa Cruz County. "

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"NIA’s website states, “The Foster Family Agency Accountability Act (AB 2496), sponsored by NAIC, is necessary to avoid a shutdown of California’s foster family agencies."

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"We need housing in the right places where the people are needing the housing, working in those communities."

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"I'm honored today. I want to introduce the iconic Sammy, the official mascot at UC Santa Cruz, who may soon get a job promotion as a future ambassador for our state," said California State Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, who introduced the bill."

"Santa Cruz County also outperformed its neighboring counties, San Benito, Santa Clara, San Mateo and Monterey, a trend the region has observed in each primary and most general elections since 2012."

"AB 2839, from Assemblymember Gail Pellerin. Keeps misleading deepfakes out of campaign ads and independent expenditures close to Election Day, protecting candidates and elections officials."

"So far, she's introduced 40 bills, 13 of which have passed; she's authored multiple bills that address California's election system. In upcoming legislation, Pellerin is taking aim at artificial intelligence and the impact it could have on elections."

"Pellerin was a widely admired election supervisor in Santa Cruz County, and she continues to be a strong voice in Sacramento on voting rights and mental health support, as well as climate change."

"As an example, Pellerin cited one recent ad that used artificial intelligence to create a voice that sounded like President Joe Biden. “We have to stay ahead of the deep fakes and bad actors that are out there trying to wreak chaos with our elections,” Pellerin said."

"These candidates and incumbents are prepared to continue advancing our reproductive freedoms in California. With Republicans threatening a nationwide abortion ban and the Supreme Court considering two abortion-related cases this year—the impacts of which would reverberate even into reproductive freedom states like ours—we need all hands on deck to fight for our fundamental rights."

"California has some of the strongest voting laws in the nation and continues working to make elections more accessible for all... allows voters with a disability to complete a regular ballot outside of any polling place — known as curbside voting — and removes the requirement for a voter to declare under oath that they are unable to mark their ballot in order to receive assistance doing so."

“California lawmakers are exploring legislation to further crack down on deepfakes, including broader bans of the use of artificial intelligence..."We have the internet that is so quick and easy to spread false disinformation and misinformation. And now AI is putting this at a whole new level,” said Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D), who chairs the state Assembly Elections Committee."

“These disinformation narratives aren’t just undermining our voter's faith in our election system, they're making the lives more dangerous for elections officials," said Democratic Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, who leads the Assembly's election committee after spending decades as the chief elections official in Santa Cruz County. ”

“Gail Pellerin filed election paperwork for most of her adult career as the chief elections officer in Santa Cruz County, but she’s getting used to the process now from the other side of the desk. “I feel like it has been a great year,” Pellerin said in a phone interview this week. “I sent 10 bills to the governor and he signed all of them. So I’ve got a 100% batting record there.””

“Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, a former Santa Cruz County clerk, ended thelegislative session with 10 of her bills signed into law. Of those, six focused onvoting. One bill, AB 969, takes direct aim at a controversy over a Shasta Countyplan to hand-count ballots in an upcoming special election.”

“Five of the bills were authored by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, D-Santa Cruz, chair of the Assembly Elections Committee and a former Santa Cruz County clerk, the position that administers elections.Pellerin’s district includes portions of northern Santa Cruz County, sections of South San Jose and Santa Clara Counties and the cities of Los Gatos, Morgan Hill, Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley.”

"Three of Santa Cruz County’s state legislators — Assemblymember Dawn Addis, Sen. John Laird and Assemblymember Gail Pellerin — proudly outline strides our state has made in assuring that the rights of LGBTQIA+ people are protected. That includes codifying same-sex marriage, offering support for students in schools and for foster students..."

“I’m honored to have the confidence of the speaker and continue to work to ensure that California is the gold standard for secure, accurate, transparent and accessible elections,” Pellerin said. “I look forward to continuing the work to improve the voter experience, ensure voting system integrity and enhance the accuracy of our voter rolls.”

"Women have never achieved parity with their male colleagues in the California Legislature. Many advocates believe that could change before the end of the decade, but getting there is hardly a given."

"Introduced on Feb. 14, Pellerin’s Assembly Bill 969 would require a county board of supervisors to have both a transition plan and a replacement contract with a state-certified system in place before terminating an existing voting system contract."

"A group of state legislators have band together to raise the profile of Santa Cruz County and other Central Coast communities as they grapple with an historically destructive winter storm season and a growing number of coastal issues."

"The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved an ordinance that would prohibit companies forcibly transporting children. Also under the ordinance, families could sue transport companies that use force against their children for $10,000, plus legal costs."

"California Senate Bill 629, introduced by state Sen. Dave Cortese, would allow the West Valley-Mission Community College District to stop charging its students tuition and cover other costs such as transportation and books. The bill, if approved, would expand access to higher education and open opportunities for low-income students in one of the nation’s most expensive regions, advocates said."

“Protecting our ocean habitat must happen now before it is too late, I am happy to join Assemblymember Addis on this important legislation,” said bill co-author Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D-Santa Cruz)."

"The organization on the front lines of mental health awareness, advocacy and education has been around for four decades, but the work has ratcheted up exponentially in recent years."

"In a dramatic 92% increase since 2017, 50 women (the majority women of color) now serve, an historic high-water mark of 42%. For the first time, a majority of our legislators are women, people of color or LGBTQ+..."

"Yard signs have come down, candidate emails have gone mute, all of the eligible outstanding ballots have been processed – the 2022 election cycle has officially come to an end."

"That’s a good thing, too, because we’re one week away from the Dec. 5 organizing session, where legislators will gather in Sacramento for the first time to be sworn-in and cast leadership votes..."

"The new 28th Assembly District, a product of the recent decennial redistricting process, still represents north Santa Cruz County, but no longer counts mid-county or the southern coastal region as part of its footprint...."

"There were no surprises in the Assembly races, since Democrats outnumber all other parties and independents combined in the county...."

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"Unofficial election night results, last updated early Wednesday morning, show Santa Cruzan Gail Pellerin, a Democrat running for the newly drawn State Assembly District 28..."

"Former Santa Cruz County Clerk Gail Pellerin appears poised to become the first woman from the county to hold a seat on the State Assembly, with early returns showing 62.67% of Santa Clara County voters supporting her run..."

"Gail Pellerin is a homegrown and well-loved politician who will best represent Santa Cruz County interests in Sacramento. She is a connector, a listener and someone with the skills and longtime political..."

"Good Morning Monterey Bay airs Monday-Friday 6:00am-9:00am on KSCO Radio 1080 AM/104.1 FM in Santa Cruz, CA. This upbeat and fun talk radio show is hosted by Rosemary Chalmers and Alex Shaffer..."

"Democracy is on the ballot,” she said. “I have been a fighter for voting rights and reproductive rights and LGBTQ community rights and safe community rights most of my entire adult life and I am out there..."

"While female candidates still face challenges, voters could elect a record number of women to the state Legislature in November. The roster of female lawmakers could rise to 45 of the 120 seats, according to a CalMatters analysis..."

"Here are our recommendations so far for the Nov. 8 election. Click on the links to read the full editorials. Bookmark this page to return to view additional recommendations as they are published...."

"Both of the candidates running in the November 8, 2022, general election for California State Assembly District 28 —Gail Pellerin (D) and Liz Lawler (R)— completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. ..."

"Election season may be in a lull, but it’s not over. In fact, a few political showdowns are still heating up. Here’s what you need to know as the Nov 8th..."

"The nation woke up to a new reality Friday as the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. In Santa Cruz, a progressive county within a sanctuary state..."

"Likewise, newcomer Gail Pellerin, former Santa Cruz County clerk, is likely to ride a wave of hometown support..."

"Retired Santa Cruz County Clerk Gail Pellerin holds a steady lead in the four-way race for the 28th Assembly District, according to election officials..."

"The unofficial election results from the California Secretary of State office show Pellerin, a Democrat, has 18,083, or 34.2%, of votes counted..."

"Santa Cruz County election results showed Pellerin racking up 7,254 votes, ahead of Lawler’s 2,793, Rennie’s 2,392 and UC Santa Cruz student..."

"Santa Cruz’s Gail Pellerin has emerged so far in the pole position for the November election, chalking up 34.2% of the vote, with apparently..."

"Gail Pellerin is vying for the 28th State Assembly District, covering parts of Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties, and who faces enormous challenges..."

"Three of the four candidates for the 28th State Assembly District appeared in a radio forum answering questions about everything from climate change to..."

Pellerin can do that – and has shown she is an impartial and independent leader in voting rights, the state’s mental health crisis, gender equity..."

The candidates for the newly created State Assembly District 28, who spoke at a Lookout-moderated forum last week, elaborate on who they are..."

"It is in that context that NARAL Pro-Choice California released its latest slate of endorsements, this time for 10 State Assembly candidates..."

"Pellerin, who has Stone’s endorsement, is energetic, possesses strong people skills and is widely known for her long-standing advocacy for more women in leadership roles..."

"A voting-rights champion with experience in state and local government, she says she has the connections needed to make change happen..."

"Election season is ramping up ahead of the statewide primary June 7. We know that untangling all the ballot information, positions up for election and deadlines can be a hassle to say the least. Luckily, Lookout has you covered."

"Election season is ramping up ahead of the statewide primary June 7. We know that untangling all the ballot information, positions up for election and deadlines can be a hassle to say the least. Luckily, Lookout has you covered."

"Come celebrate Common Cause’s 50 years of fighting for a better democracy and learn up-to-date, inside information about the state of American democracy as we head into the 2022 elections."

"Pellerin, Santa Cruz County’s last clerk with a democratic party affiliation, announced her candidacy with a bang on Monday, boasting the endorsement of Stone himself."

"Former Santa Cruz County Clerk and Registrar of Voters Gail Pellerin will run for State Assembly as a Democrat, Pellerin announced Monday."

"That’s why the noted advocate for voting rights and mental health awareness is attempting to become the first area woman to ever earn an elected seat in state government."

"The former county clerk launched a campaign website this weekend asking the community she served for nearly three decades to elect her as 28th District assembly member."

"Gail Pellerin served as the chief election official for the last 27 years, navigating the elections office through the wildfires and pandemic in 2020."

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"Former County Clerk Gail Pellerin is running for the 28th Assembly District in the upcoming June 7 primary after receiving the nod from Mark Stone."

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"Like a grand opera or a well-scripted summer blockbuster, the final act of Gail Pellerin’s long career as Santa Cruz County Clerk was the most dramatic."

"Like a grand opera or a well-scripted summer blockbuster, the final act of Gail Pellerin’s long career as Santa Cruz County Clerk was the most dramatic."

"And election officials and voter-rights advocates are continuing to sound the alarm about risks to elections integrity posed by hacking, voter..."