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.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare Feb 20, 2004 This is the 43rd PPIC Statewide Survey and the 16th in a series of large-scale public opinion polls that PPIC is conducting on a periodic basis throughout California's election cycles. The purpose of this series is to develop an objective, in-depth profile of the social, economic, and political forces affecting public policy preferences and ballot choices in California. Some findings of the current survey At this time, all four propositions on the March 2nd primary ballot (55,56,57,58) face uncertain futures because many residents haven’t decided how they will vote. Since our January 2004 survey, California’s likely voters have catapulted John Kerry from fourth (6%) to first (56%) place among Democratic candidates. At this point, a Democrat nominee would get more votes (54%) than George W. Bush (37%) if the presidential election were held today. Majorities of likely voters approve of the way Senators Barbara Boxer (52%) and Dianne Feinstein (57%) are doing their jobs. The partisan gap is growing larger between Republicans and Democrats in California on issues such as abortion, the environment, immigrants, and gay and lesbian rights.
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.
Fact Sheet California Voter and Party Profiles By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Deja Thomas Aug 28, 2023 About 47% of registered voters are Democrats, 24% are Republicans, and 23% are independents. Most independent likely voters lean toward a major party.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Special Survey on the Environment By Mark Baldassare Jul 26, 2006 Some findings of the current survey Eight in 10 residents believe global warming will be a very (49%) or somewhat serious (30%) threat to California’s future economy and quality of life. Sixty-five percent of all adults and 70 percent of likely voters favor having the state make its own policies on global warming. The proposal to reduce GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 receives majority support from residents across all regions, racial/ethnic, and demographic groups. Seventy percent of all adults say they would seriously consider purchasing or leasing a hybrid vehicle, with 57 percent saying they would even if it were more costly. This is the 69th PPIC Statewide Survey and the fifth in a three-year series made possible with funding from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Special Survey on Californians and the Environment By Mark Baldassare Nov 13, 2003 This is the 40th PPIC Statewide Survey and the sixth in a series of eight surveys that will focus on population growth, land use, and the environment. This survey focuses in particular on marine and coastal issues. Some findings of the current survey The vast majority (88%) of Californians say that the condition of the ocean and beaches is personally important to them, with 60% saying it is very important. Over half (52%) of the state's residents believe that the quality of the ocean along the state's shoreline has deteriorated in the past two decades. Three in four residents (77%) support protecting wetlands and beach/bay habitats even if it means less commercial activity near the coast. Half of all those surveyed (50%) favor prohibiting new off-shore oil drilling along California's coast, even if it means higher gasoline prices. Nearly all Californians agree that environmental protection should be a priority for the Schwarzenegger administration. Almost one-third (32%) think it should be a top priority, while a large majority (57%) say it should be an important priority.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Alyssa Dykman, Rachel Lawler Sep 16, 2020 Key findings from the current survey: A slim majority of likely voters support Proposition 15, which would change how commercial property is taxed. Well below half of likely voters support Proposition 16, which would repeal the state’s ban on affirmative action in the public sector. Joe Biden leads Donald Trump by a wide margin, with 60 percent of likely voters favoring Biden/Harris and 31 percent favoring Trump/Pence. Most Californians remain concerned about contracting COVID-19, but a slim majority believe the worst is behind us.
Report Interest Group Influence in the California Initiative Process By Elisabeth R. Gerber Nov 1, 1998 Perhaps the most dramatic change in the California political system over the past two decades has been the increasing use of the initiative process. Between 1976 and 1996, Californians voted on 106 statewide ballot initiatives. Spending on initiative campaigns has grown commensurately, peaking in 1996 at an all-time high of $140 million. Many observers argue that the initiative process has been captured by wealthy economic interests able to "buy" favorable initiative legislation. This background paper presents evidence to the contrary. Despite their vast monetary resources, economic interests are generally unable to enlist the sympathy of a sufficiently large number of people to pass new laws through the initiative process. Economic groups more often and more successfully use their resources to oppose ballot measures and thereby maintain the status quo.
