Report Test-driving California’s Election Reforms By Eric McGhee, Daniel Krimm Sep 13, 2012 In the June 2012 primary, California tested two important electoral changes: new legislative and congressional districts drawn by an independent citizens commission and a "top two" primary system. The results suggest the reforms produced some changes—in particular, more open seats and more competition. However, there was also a great deal of continuity with recent elections: most candidates endorsed by a major party and all incumbents are advancing to the fall election and partisan outcomes were broadly in line with what might have been expected under the old primary system. Over time, the reforms may produce more radical change, but the first step on the road of reform has been a small one.
Fact Sheet California’s New Electoral Reforms: How Did They Work? By Eric McGhee, Daniel Krimm Jun 8, 2012
Fact Sheet California’s 2011 Redistricting: Challenges and Controversy By Eric McGhee, Vladimir Kogan Dec 1, 2011
Fact Sheet California’s Initiative Process: 100 Years Old By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Sonja Petek, Jui Shrestha Sep 21, 2011
Statewide Survey Facing Facts: Public Attitudes and Fiscal Realities in Five Stressed States Oct 7, 2010 A survey in five of the nation’s most fiscally stressed states reveals a disconnect between what the public wants from state government and budget realities. Residents in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, and New York believe their states could spend less without cutting services. They want to protect K-12 education and Medicaid funding—by far the biggest portions of state budgets. They prefer charging someone else— wealthy corporations, smokers, drinkers, and gamblers—to ensure essential government services. But even these increases would likely be insufficient to close severe budget gaps. This survey was co-published by the Pew Center on the States and Public Policy Institute of California. Any text or graphics taken from the multistate survey should jointly credit the Pew Center on the States and Public Policy Institute of California, 2010.
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 Their Government By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Sonja Petek, Nicole Willcoxon Jan 27, 2010 Some findings of the current survey: Two-thirds of Californians would pay higher taxes to avoid cuts in K–12 funding. Seventy percent support spending cuts in prisons and corrections. Tom Campbell is ahead in the Senate primary race among Republican likely voters. Meg Whitman’s lead grows in the primary race for governor. Job Approval Ratings: President Obama Governor Schwarzenegger California State Legislature U.S. Congress Senator Boxer Senator Feinstein Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings: President Obama Governor Schwarzenegger California State Legislature U.S. Congress Senator Boxer Senator Feinstein Mood of Californians: General Direction of Things in California Economic Outlook for California Time Trends for the Mood of Californians: General Direction of Things in California Economic Outlook for California This survey is supported with funding from The James Irvine Foundation.
