Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare, Renatta DeFever, Lunna Lopes, Dean Bonner Oct 22, 2014 Some findings of the current survey: Governor Brown leads Neel Kashkari by 16 points in the gubernatorial election; attention to election news and enthusiasm about voting is lower than in past elections. Majorities support the water bond (56% to 32%) as record-high shares say that their regional water supply is a big problem. Proposition 45, which would regulate health insurance rate changes, is down 9 points since last month, but the share considering the outcome as very important is up 11 points. The share of Californians with unfavorable opinions of both major parties has increased since the last presidential election. Job Approval Ratings: President Obama [PDF] Governor Brown [PDF] California State Legislature [PDF] U.S. Congress [PDF] Their Own State Legislators in the Assembly and Senate [PDF] Their Own Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives [PDF] Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings: President Obama [XLS] Governor Brown [XLS] California State Legislature [XLS] U.S. Congress [XLS] Their Own State Legislators in the Assembly and Senate [XLS] Their Own Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives [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 James Irvine Foundation.
Report California’s Future: In Your Hands By Mark Baldassare Oct 12, 2006 In November 2006, California voters passed one of the biggest spending packages in the state’s history. The bonds in that package represent a substantial down payment on repairing and building the infrastructure and increasing the public services required to preserve California’s quality of life. But these funds are just a down payment. More will be needed. Equally important, the state needs to undertake much more comprehensive and systematic planning for the future than it has in recent decades. The population growth and other challenges facing the state are huge—and we all have a stake in the outcome. This report highlights 10 critical questions you should be asking yourself—and your representatives in Sacramento—about building a livable future.
At Issue, Report Legislative Reform By Eric McGhee Dec 3, 2007 PPIC's At Issue series focuses on issues important for California now and in the future. In this issue, PPIC research fellow Eric McGhee discusses three charges often brought against the California Legislature—loss of competence, increasing partisan gridlock, and declining efficiency—and three types of reform aimed at addressing those shortcomings: relaxing term limits, transferring redistricting from the legislature to an independent commission, and reducing the supermajority requirement for the budget. He also offers some recommendations for policy design and briefly discusses alternative reforms.
Occasional Paper, Report The California Initiative Process: Background and Perspective By Fred Silva Nov 1, 2000 Resource Material for The Speaker's Commission on The California Initiative Process, November 2000.
Report Municipal Elections in California: Turnout, Timing, and Competition By Paul Lewis, Zoltan L. Hajnal, Hugh Louch Mar 1, 2002 Low voter turnout for municipal elections in California has raised concerns about declining civic participation and its potential consequences. This study documents voter turnout in California’s municipal elections and investigates the causes of turnout differences. To assess the political vibrancy of municipal elections, it also examines the degree of competition for and turnover in municipal offices. Using data from a questionnaire completed by 350 city clerks in California, the authors calculate that less than half of all registered voters living in cities cast ballots in the most recent municipal elections. However, they also note that overall turnout in city elections could be increased substantially by rescheduling more of them to coincide with state and national contests.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Special Survey on Californians and the Initiative Process By Mark Baldassare Aug 25, 2005 Some findings of the current survey A majority of likely voters across age, income, education, racial and ethnic groups, and in every region of the state, oppose holding a special election this fall. When asked which ballot issue was most important to them, a higher percentage of likely voters (16%) volunteered the answer “none” than named any one measure. At this time, likely voters are not very enthusiastic about the three reform measures on the fall ballot that are supported by the Schwarzenegger administration: Proposition 74 (teacher tenure), 49% support, 42% oppose; Proposition 76 (spending and funding limits), 28% support, 61% oppose; Proposition 77 (redistricting), 34% support, 49% oppose. Governor Schwarzenegger’s approval ratings are at a low point: Only 34% of state residents approve of the way he is handling his job. The state legislature fares even worse, with a 27% approval rating. This is the 58th PPIC Statewide Survey and the first in a series of three surveys focusing on Californians and the initiative process. This special survey series is funded by The James Irvine Foundation.
