About Alix

info (at) votealix.com

Alix Rosenthal is an attorney, writer, and speaker based in Oakland, California. She serves as fractional general counsel to growing companies and has spent her career helping organizations navigate complex legal, regulatory, and governance issues. She enjoys translating complicated legal and political topics into clear, accessible English.

Since 2009, Alix has written this blog to help Californians better understand elections, voting, campaigns, and government. What began as an unusual hobby has grown into a trusted resource for tens of thousands of voters looking for straightforward, nonpartisan explanations of California’s electoral process and political system. The opinions expressed on this site are her own.

Alix’s interest in elections began in 2002, when she was appointed to the newly created San Francisco Elections Commission. The Commission was established after voters approved a charter amendment creating independent oversight of the Department of Elections, which at the time faced significant operational and public confidence challenges. Serving as Vice President and later President during its formative years, Alix helped oversee reforms that strengthened the department’s operations, transparency, and public trust.

Her interest in election law continued as a Deputy City Attorney for the City of Oakland, where she advised the Public Ethics Commission on campaign finance, government ethics, lobbying, and election law. Together with her service on the Elections Commission, that experience gave her a unique perspective on how California elections are administered, regulated, and governed.

In 2006, Alix ran for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in District 8. Although she was a first-time candidate challenging a popular incumbent, she earned nearly 30 percent of the vote, giving her firsthand appreciation for the challenges—and rewards—of campaigning.

In 2010, Alix was elected to the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee, the governing body of the San Francisco Democratic Party. During six years on the committee, including service as Treasurer and Vice Chair, she focused on recruiting, training, and supporting candidates—particularly women running for local office.

Throughout her career, Alix has remained deeply involved in civic life. She has trained dozens of women to run for office through Emerge California, founded the San Francisco Women’s Political Summit, served as President of the San Francisco chapter of the National Women’s Political Caucus, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Meals on Wheels San Francisco.

Professionally, Alix has also advised technology companies, nonprofits, and public agencies on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, employment law, commercial transactions, and public policy. She previously built and led Lyft’s compliance team during a period of rapid national growth.

Outside of work, Alix is an avid hiker, fitness enthusiast, Burning Man participant, and lifelong early adopter of new technology. She lives in Oakland with her daughter, who keeps her curious, grounded, and laughing every day.

You can find Alix on LinkedIn and Facebook.