blog post Three Lessons About California’s Election Reforms By Eric McGhee, Daniel Krimm Nov 5, 2014 California got its second taste of two important reforms yesterday: legislative and congressional districts drawn by an independent redistricting commission and a "top-two” primary system. How did they do this time around?
blog post How Can California Increase Voter Turnout? By Linda Strean Jun 10, 2014 Days after a California primary that may set a record for low voter turnout, election experts gathered to take stock: What happened last week and how can the state engage more Californians in elections?
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.
Report Voter Turnout in Primary Elections By Eric McGhee May 1, 2014 California’s new top-two primary system did not produce the increase in voter turnout that many had hoped for in 2012. But it did appear to engage independent voters. Examining primary voting trends over time, this report analyzes voter behavior and the potential impact of electoral reforms in this stage of the election cycle. This research is supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.
Fact Sheet California’s New Electoral Reforms: The Fall Election By Eric McGhee, Daniel Krimm Nov 8, 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.
