Californians will have plenty of chances to talk face-to-face about the issues shaping the 2026 election, as CalMatters expands its VotingMatters series to more than 35 communities statewide this fall — including several stops right here in the Inland Empire.
The nonpartisan event series, which pairs CalMatters’ 2026 Voter Guide with in-person community conversations, drew hundreds of participants during its spring run leading up to the primary. Neighbors gathered over poké bowls in Los Angeles, debated gubernatorial candidates in Bakersfield, and packed a Modesto brewery to talk local news and civic engagement. Now organizers are back with a fall lineup that stretches from San Diego to Eureka, with a heavy presence planned across Southern California and the Inland Empire.
Locally, Rancho Cucamonga kicks things off Sept. 15 with an 11:30 a.m. event at Chaffey College. Redlands follows on Sept. 28 with a 6 p.m. gathering at the Redlands Public Market, hosted alongside Community Forward Redlands. Rancho Mirage residents can join a Sept. 22 discussion at Willie’s Modern Fare starting at 5:30 p.m., presented in partnership with the Coachella Valley Independent and Palm Springs Post.
Claremont McKenna College will host an event Oct. 9 through its Rose Institute, and Thousand Oaks will get its turn Oct. 27 in partnership with public radio station KCLU. San Diego residents have two opportunities to participate — a Sept. 17 gathering at The Times of San Diego offices, and an Oct. 3 session during Politifest at the University of San Diego’s Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies.
Beyond the Inland Empire and Southern California, the tour continues through the Bay Area, Central Valley and far Northern California, with stops planned in San Francisco, Stockton, Fresno, Chico, Eureka and dozens of other communities through the end of October.
CalMatters says the events are designed to be genuinely nonpartisan spaces where residents can ask questions, share concerns and better understand what’s on their ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. Many sessions are organized in partnership with local newsrooms, colleges, libraries and community organizations, and often include food, panel discussions or informal tabling setups where residents can stop by and chat with CalMatters staff.
Organizers note that details for several events — including specific times and locations for later dates — are still being finalized and will be updated regularly on CalMatters’ website. Residents are encouraged to check back often or sign up for the outlet’s WhatMatters and election newsletters for the latest additions to the schedule.
Community groups interested in hosting their own VotingMatters gathering don’t need to wait for CalMatters to bring an event to them. The organization offers a do-it-yourself event kit that includes a slide presentation, discussion guides, an online voter guide and marketing materials — everything needed to turn a casual get-together into a productive conversation about the issues on the ballot. Hosts don’t need policy expertise; the materials are built to help facilitate discussion, not lecture.
Groups wanting CalMatters staff to attend in person can also request a co-hosted event, with the organization covering some costs and providing presenters, so long as local partners help secure a venue, spread the word and arrange food.
Anyone interested in hosting or co-hosting an event can reach the VotingMatters team by emailing [email protected].
With the fall election season now underway, organizers say they hope the expanded schedule will give even more Californians — including here in the Inland Empire — a chance to weigh in on the choices ahead of them at the ballot box.
Original source: CalMatters
