Ballot Measures Reporter

POLITICO is looking for an organized, energetic 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. Such “direct democracy” represents 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 conflict between Yes and No, but also decision-making within and across ballot-measure committees. To do so, the reporter will track potentially dozens of initiatives at different stages of progress, primarily statewide but also at the county and municipal levels, and cover breaking news across them during the election season. 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.

What You’ll Need:

Two years’ experience working for a professional news organization
A knack for quickly developing and maintaining sources
Proven ability to write clearly and accurately on deadline
Organizational skills to track a diverse range of simultaneous campaigns

The anticipated salary range for candidates who will work in Sacramento, CA is $65,000.00-$80,000.00 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.