Report California’s Future: Political Landscape By Eric McGhee, Dean Bonner Jan 2, 2020 Most Californians support Democratic policies, but one-party control carries risks—and the demographic differences between voters and nonvoters reflect a growing economic divide.
Report California in the New Millennium: The Changing Social and Political Landscape By Mark Baldassare Apr 1, 2000 California in the mid-21st century is going to be very different from California today. There is every reason to expect the explosive population growth of the past 20 years to continue, fueled largely by immigration. By mid-century, Latinos will become the dominant ethnic and racial group in the state. In this book, Mark Baldassare examines three of the most powerful undercurrents altering the character of California--the public's strong and increasing distrust of politicians and the legislative process, the rapidly changing racial and ethnic mix of the state's population, and the growing diversity across its major regions.
Report California’s Political Geography 2020 By Eric McGhee Feb 24, 2020 California still leans Democratic overall, but independents are leaning Republican in many areas of the state. A closer look suggests that registering all eligible residents to vote could moderate more partisan places. Views on specific issues also follow their own geographic patterns.
At Issue, Report Open Primaries By Eric McGhee Feb 10, 2010 Could an open primary system help end California’s political gridlock? Advocates of the "top-two-vote-getter” reform on California’s June 2010 ballot believe that it can. Others are skeptical. Eric McGhee finds that TTVG’s overall impact on California’s political landscape would probably be modest—although a small moderating effect might build over time. The analysis is based on open primary experiences in California and elsewhere.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Environment By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Sonja Petek, Nicole Willcoxon Jul 28, 2010 Some findings of the current survey: Opposition to offshore drilling has jumped 16 percent since last year. A slim majority say state action is needed right away to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Among likely voters, Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman are about even in the race for governor, with 23 percent undecided. Barbara Boxer and Carly Fiorina are also in a close contest for the U.S. Senate, with 22 percent undecided. Job Approval Ratings: President Obama [PDF]Governor Schwarzenegger [PDF]California State Legislature [PDF] Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings: President Obama [XLS]Governor Schwarzenegger [XLS]California State Legislature [XLS] Mood of Californians: General Direction of Things in California [PDF]Economic Outlook for California [PDF] Time Trends for the Mood of Californians: General Direction of Things in California [XLS]Economic Outlook for California [XLS] This survey was supported with funding from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Environment By Mark Baldassare, Lunna Lopes, Dean Bonner, David Kordus Jul 29, 2015 Some findings of the current survey: Californians see global warming as a serious threat—and most do not think action to reduce global warming will lead to fewer jobs. There is strong support for the greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements in AB 32 and SB 32. Californians favor the energy goals in SB 350; they also favor state support for solar power and electric vehicles. Many say water is the state’s top environmental issue—but most do not know their local water district reduction targets. Job Approval Ratings: President Obama [PDF] Governor Brown [PDF] California State Legislature [PDF] U.S. Congress [PDF] Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings: President Obama [XLS] Governor Brown [XLS] California State Legislature [XLS] U.S. Congress [XLS] This survey was supported with funding from The Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation, the Heising-Simons Foundation, and the Pisces Foundation.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Environment By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Deja Thomas Jul 28, 2021 Key findings from the current survey include: One in four Californians name water supply and drought as the state’s top environmental issue; 63% say water supply is a big problem in their region. Majorities approve of the way Governor Newsom and President Biden are handling environmental issues. About six in ten (63%) are very concerned about climate change increasing the severity of wildfires and drought. Majorities across party lines favor prioritizing alternative energy sources, such as wind, solar, and hydrogen.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Environment By Mark Baldassare, Lunna Lopes, Dean Bonner, David Kordus Jul 27, 2016 Some findings of the current survey: Ten years after California enacted AB 32, strong majorities support the law’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goal and favor expanding it. Most Californians say they are willing to pay more for electricity from renewable sources to help reduce global warming. When asked about the most important environmental issue facing the state, more Californians name water supply and drought than any other issue. Hillary Clinton leads Donald Trump in the presidential race; in the US Senate matchup, Kamala Harris leads Loretta Sanchez. Crosstabs: All Adults [PDF] Likely Voters [PDF] Time Trends: All Adults [PDF] Likely Voters [PDF] The survey was supported with funding from The Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation, the Heising-Simons Foundation, the Pisces Foundation, and the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Education By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Alyssa Dykman, Rachel Lawler Apr 22, 2020 Key findings from the current survey include many California parents see school closures for COVID-19 as somewhat of a problem and are concerned with providing productive learning at home. An overwhelming majority of parents approve of school districts’ handling of closures and Governor Newsom’s handling of K–12 education. As optimism wanes about the economy, views on school bonds are mixed.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Special Survey on Californians and the Environment By Mark Baldassare Jun 1, 2002 This is the twenty-sixth PPIC Statewide Survey and the third in a new series that will focus on population growth, land use, and the environment. The current survey focuses in particular on public perceptions, individual actions, and policy preferences relating to environmental issues. Some findings of the current survey: Most residents believe little progress has been made in solving environmental problems over the past twenty years, and they are pessimistic about improvements in the future: 78% believe there has been only some or hardly any progress since the early 1980s, and 79% have only some or hardly any optimism that environmental problems will be under control 20 years from now. Nearly half of all adult Californians (49%) have little or no confidence in government to understand and solve today's environmental problems. A solid majority (62%) believe that there is enough evidence that global climate change is real and that some action is warranted. 59% say policymakers should not allow more oil drilling off the California coast, even if this means higher gasoline prices for California drivers.
