blog post New Era for Initiatives? By Mark Baldassare Nov 12, 2014 The drop-off in state propositions and citizens’ initiatives—which have often captured media attention and voter interest in the past—may mark the beginning of a trend with profound implications for voter engagement and state policymaking.
blog post A Cautionary Tale for Fiscal Reformers By Mark Baldassare Oct 23, 2014 Given the widespread support for the idea of a rainy day fund in earlier PPIC polls, why is Proposition 2 struggling to achieve majority support?
blog post Electoral Reforms Face New Test By Eric McGhee May 15, 2014 California’s political reforms—redistricting and the top-two primary—were meant to shake up the status quo, and in 2012, they didn’t disappoint. Things are calmer in this year’s legislative and congressional races.
blog post Panel Focuses on Increasing Voter Participation By David Lesher Jan 24, 2014 PPIC hosted a panel of leading experts on voter participation in Sacramento yesterday to talk about several important voter reforms underway. Secretary of State Debra Bowen, Los Angeles County Registrar Dean Logan, and California Common Cause Director Kathay Feng responded to a new report from PPIC.
Fact Sheet The Initiative Process in California By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Sonja Petek, Jui Shrestha Oct 7, 2013
press release Half of Likely Voters Favor Proposition 30—Support Slightly Lower for Proposition 38 Sep 19, 2012
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.
