Politics in California is a chaotic mess of acronyms and confusingly worded propositions. Honestly, looking at a two-page ballot can make your head spin. That’s usually where the LA Times voting guide enters the chat. For decades, voters have leaned on the paper's editorial board to cut through the noise, telling us which judges aren't doing their jobs and which billion-dollar bonds actually make sense.
But things got weird recently. If you follow the news, you know the paper’s owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, blocked a presidential endorsement in late 2024. It caused a massive stir. Editors resigned. Subscribers canceled. It was a whole thing.
Does that mean the guide is useless now? Not even close.
While the presidential non-endorsement grabbed the headlines, the real value of the LA Times voting guide has always been the local stuff. You probably know who you want for President or Senator. But do you know anything about the guy running for Superior Court Seat No. 12? Probably not. That's where the editorial board's deep-dive research actually helps.
How the LA Times Voting Guide is Built
The process is kinda intense. It isn’t just one person sitting in a room picking favorites. The editorial board—which is separate from the newsroom reporters—spends months interviewing candidates. They bring them into "the room" (or a Zoom call these days) and grill them on policy.
They also talk to advocacy groups and policy experts. When a new proposition pops up about, say, dialysis clinics or property taxes, they look at who is funding it. Money talks. If a massive corporation is spending $50 million to "help" you, the Times board usually points that out.
The Editorial vs. News Divide
One thing people get wrong is thinking the reporters write these endorsements. They don't. The LA Times, like most big papers, has a "church and state" wall. The news side reports facts without bias (ideally), while the editorial board is explicitly there to form an opinion.
It’s a distinction that’s getting lost in the digital age. You’ve probably seen a spicy headline on social media and thought the whole paper was taking a side. Usually, it’s just the board.
The Local Races You’d Otherwise Ignore
The LA Times voting guide shines in the "down-ballot" races. These are the ones that actually change your daily life. We're talking about:
- County Supervisors: They control the budget for mental health services and jails.
- District Attorneys: They decide how crime is prosecuted in your neighborhood.
- School Boards: They handle everything from curriculum to whether your local high school gets a new gym.
- Judges: These people have a massive impact, but they are almost invisible to the public until election day.
In 2024, the board made some big calls. They backed Adam Schiff for Senate, which wasn't a huge shock. But they also weighed in on local Los Angeles City Council seats, like Nithya Raman’s re-election. They don't just say "vote for this person." They usually give a few paragraphs of reasoning, which is more than you’ll get from those glossy flyers that clog up your mailbox.
Dealing With Those Confusing Propositions
California is famous for its direct democracy. It's basically a system where we all pretend to be legislators for a day. It's exhausting.
The LA Times voting guide usually takes a skeptical eye toward ballot measures. Their philosophy is often: if it’s too complicated or could be handled by the actual Legislature, it’s a "No."
Take Proposition 33 from the 2024 cycle, which was about rent control. Every major editorial board in the state, including the Times, had to weigh the housing crisis against the specific wording of the law. They often look at the "fine print" that the TV commercials conveniently leave out.
Sometimes they get it wrong. Sometimes they change their minds years later. But having a baseline of research is better than just guessing because you like the name of the measure.
Is the Guide Biased?
Let's be real. The LA Times editorial board leans progressive. That’s not a secret. If you’re looking for a staunchly conservative take on tax policy, you’re probably looking in the wrong place. However, they aren't just rubber stamps for the Democratic party.
They’ve been known to buck the party line on specific labor issues or certain criminal justice reforms if they think the execution is sloppy. They tend to favor "institutional" candidates—people who have a track record of actually getting stuff done—rather than firebrands who just make a lot of noise.
Why People Stopped Trusting the Guide
The 2024 presidential endorsement controversy really hurt the brand. When the owner stepped in to stop the endorsement of Kamala Harris, it made people wonder if the "wall" between the owner’s business interests and the editorial board’s independence had crumbled.
Nika Soon-Shiong, the owner’s daughter, has also been vocal about her own progressive views, leading to rumors that she influences the picks. The paper denies this, but in the world of SEO and public trust, perception is reality.
Despite the drama, the LA Times voting guide remains one of the most comprehensive resources for Californians. Most people aren't going to read the 100-page state-issued voter pamphlet. They want a "cheat sheet."
Actionable Steps for Your Next Ballot
Don't just blindly follow any guide—even this one. Use the LA Times voting guide as a starting point, not the final word.
- Compare guides: Look at the LA Times alongside the CalMatters guide or even your local county party's endorsements.
- Look at the "Why": If the Times recommends a "No" on a bond, read their reasoning. Is it because they hate the project, or because the interest rates are predatory?
- Check the donors: Use sites like Ballotpedia or the Secretary of State’s website to see who is paying for the ads you see on TV.
- Save your picks: Most digital versions of the guide let you "star" your choices so you can pull them up on your phone while you’re standing in the voting booth.
Voting is a chore, but it's the only way to keep the people in charge even slightly accountable. Whether you love the Times or think they’re out of touch, their research is a tool. Use it.
To get the most out of the guide for the upcoming 2026 primaries, you should bookmark the official LA Times opinion page about a month before the election. They usually roll out their endorsements one by one rather than dropping them all at once. This gives you time to digest the arguments for each race before your mail-in ballot even arrives. Check your voter registration status early at the California Secretary of State website to ensure your ballot actually shows up on time.