blog post Commentary: Key Questions for November from the California Primary Vote By Mark Baldassare Apr 15, 2024 The vote count for the March 5 California primary has now been certified. We examine what these results, along with PPIC Statewide Survey findings, say about this fall's general election in our state.
blog post Assessing the Top Two Primary By Eric McGhee Jun 9, 2016 How is the top two primary faring? There will be 22 same-party races this election cycle, similar to but slightly lower than the 25 in 2014 and 28 in 2012.
press release Newsom, Villaraigosa in Virtual Tie, Feinstein Leads de León by Double Digits Feb 7, 2018
Report Assessing California’s Redistricting Commission: Effects on Partisan Fairness and Competitiveness By Eric McGhee Mar 5, 2018 The creation of the Citizen Redistricting Commission (CRC) in 2008 was a radical departure from California’s previous redistricting process, which had been directed by the legislature with little public input and no official rationale. Many hoped that, in addition to meeting legally mandated representational and geographic goals, the CRC would produce electoral maps that were fair to the two major parties and more competitive than the maps that had been drawn by the legislature.
blog post California’s Partisan Divide on Higher Education By Jacob Jackson, Lunna Lopes Aug 25, 2017 Democrats and Republicans are divided on the issue of higher education.
blog post Election Takeaways: California Voters Send Conflicting Signals By Mark Baldassare Dec 14, 2020 Nearly 18 million Californians voted in the November 2020 election—an all-time high. PPIC’s Mark Baldassare discusses the final election results and what they say about Californians’ mindset and policy preferences in a year of unprecedented challenges.
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.
blog post Will Mail-in Ballots Benefit One Party? By Eric McGhee Apr 20, 2020 California may have to significantly expand vote by mail for this November’s election; there’s no evidence that either major party would gain an advantage.
