California Ballot Measures Reporter

$90,000.00/yr - $120,000.00/yr

POLITICO is looking for an experienced journalist to cover the lively realm of ballot-measure campaigns that help make policymaking in California so distinctive. This role is part of an ambitious, ongoing effort to expand POLITICO’s California coverage and overall state-focused reporting. The ideal candidate will have a deep curiosity about the dynamics that differentiate such “direct democracy” from partisan candidate elections. These represent a unique melding of political and policy conflict, and the ideal candidate should be comfortable in, and ready to explore, both spheres.

This is a new beat designed to illuminate for readers not only the clash between Yes and No, but also decision-making within ballot-measure committees and the interests that fund them. Much of the job will consist of enterprise reporting: probing ballot-measure committees to understand why coalitions form to bring certain questions to voters, how opposition organizes (or doesn’t) against them and to introduce readers to the personalities behind those decisions. The beat will require close collaboration with our political reporting team around the state to identify patterns and trends across campaigns, and with specialized policy reporters based in Sacramento to explore the interplay of ballot measures with the legislature, courts and executive branch.

The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in Sacramento, CA is $90,000.00-$120,000.00 per year. The final salary offered to a successful candidate, which may be higher than the current anticipated salary range, will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and years of experience within the job, type and years of experience within the industry, education, etc.

What You’ll Need

• Political reporting experience, ideally including around issue campaigns in California or elsewhere
• Proven capacity to generate enterprise stories through source reporting
• Ability to navigate and analyze campaign-finance disclosures
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We value our people. We offer a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package, including health and wellness benefits, commuter and cell phone reimbursements, retirement plans, as well as work-life balance flexibility and opportunities for career development. Click here for more on what we offer and what it’s like to work for POLITICO.

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