Proposition 50, if approved, authorizes five new Democratic leaning districts for the election of Californians to the House of Representatives from 2026 through 2030 at the possible expense of GOP representation. It effectively expires, thereafter, allowing the existing Citizens Redistricting Committee to draw election maps following the 2030 census. All 50 states typically redraw their voting maps once every 10 years following the federal census. Not under Trump. Prop. 50 is

The Madera County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution declaring Madera County a Second Amendment Sanctuary County with a 4-0 vote and one abstention. The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms. Across the nation, counties have adopted “Second Amendment Sanctuary” resolutions to reaffirm their commitment to this fundamental right. Tuesday’s resolution declares Madera County a Second Amendment Sanctuary, s

California stands at a crossroads with Proposition 50, a measure that threatens to unravel the progress we’ve made toward unbiased, transparent redistricting. Californians strongly rejected partisan gerrymandering by establishing the Citizens Redistricting Commission, taking map-drawing power from self-serving Sacramento politicians, and putting it in the hands of an impartial group dedicated to fairness, not politics. The Commission has been far from perfect, but it beats th

Madera County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters, Rebecca Martinez announced that in order to be eligible to vote in the November 4, Statewide Special Election, persons must register to vote by Monday, October 20.  In order to be eligible to register to vote at the November 4 Statewide Special Election, voters  must be a United States Citizen, live in Madera County and be 18 years old on or before Election Day.  Individuals who are currently on parole for the conviction o

Always stand on principle, even if you stand alone. — John Adams, Second U.S. President Let’s face it. The United States is not and never has been a true democracy. But we began the grand experiment with a document that was close. Only it was not as close as we’ve been led to believe.  The concept of democracy can be traced back to Greece in the fifth century B.C. when men (but not women, slaves, or foreigners) could participate in decision-making. The philosophers at that ti

For The Madera Tribune George Washington Mordecai, circa 1890. As the little town of Madera was growing up in the 19th century, several important politicians visited here. Presidents, former Presidents, and would-be Presidents met at Captain Mace’s hotel on the corner of E and Yosemite Avenue to begin a journey that would take them to the Big Trees and beyond. One of these was General Ulysses S. Grant, and before he left Madera, he met an old adversary that would one day beco

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune File Photo In March of 2025, local farmer and CEO of Agriland Farming Company, Inc., Jim Maxwell, seated, is set to be interviewed and filmed by director/producer Thomas McDonald, center, and cameraman Tristan Owen at the Madera County Museum for a documentary that was first seen Tuesday at the Board of Supervisors meeting. Madera County will soon be featured nationwide on public television outlets showcasing why it’s simply the best place t

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream captivated a racially divided nation 62 years ago when he said, “I have a dream, that my four little children will, one day, live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” On Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump said, “Today is Martin Luther King Day. And his honor — this will be a great honor. But in his honor, we will strive together to make his dream a reality. We will make