event What to Expect from California’s New Motor Voter Law Jun 16, 2016 About the ProgramLast year, California passed major legislation to increase the state's voter rolls. If successful, this automated voter registration law could expand political representation and help boost civic engagement. Research fellow Eric McGhee will talk about the new registration system's expected impact on the demographics and size of the electorate, and outline steps the state can take to ensure the reform achieves its goal. This research was supported with funding from The James Irvine Foundation.
blog post Video: Expanding the California Electorate By Linda Strean May 19, 2016 How can the state expand its electorate? Leaders and experts told a Los Angeles audience that the mechanics of voting can be improved and outreach to underrepresented groups is essential.
blog post Who Voted in the 2022 Election and What Does It Mean for 2024? By Eric McGhee May 24, 2023 While California turnout in last fall’s election was lower across the board compared to 2020—a presidential election year—the decline in voting was especially large among Asian Americans, Latinos, and women.
blog post The Recall Election and California’s Political Future By Mark Baldassare Oct 22, 2021 With the vote count for the 2021 gubernatorial recall now certified, what do the results—and the high voter engagement—say about the state of the state as well as California’s electoral landscape?
press release Electorate Divided, Disgruntled—But Confident About Local Government, Initiative Process Oct 9, 2012
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 Comprehensive Immigration Reform Could Diversify California’s Electorate By Eric McGhee Mar 26, 2021 California is home to about a quarter of the nation’s 11 million undocumented immigrants. Federal reform that creates a pathway to citizenship would open the door to joining the electorate for millions of California residents.
Report Expanding California’s Electorate: Will Recent Reforms Increase Voter Turnout? By Eric McGhee Jan 22, 2014 To address declines in voter turnout, California has adopted same-day registration—so voters can register and cast ballots on the same day—and implemented online registration. A proposal to relax the deadline for returning mail ballots is also being considered. These changes are not likely to significantly increase turnout, but two of them either decrease or add few administrative costs. This research was supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.
Report California’s Exclusive Electorate: Who Votes and Why It Matters By Mark Baldassare Mar 29, 2016 Only half of California's adults are likely to vote in the 2016 presidential election, and these voters do not reflect the state's diversity, attitudes, or policy preferences. Changes to the election process will bring in new voters, but broader solutions are needed — including providing civics education, increasing economic mobility, and expanding citizenship rates. This research was supported with funding from The James Irvine Foundation.
blog post Five Takeaways on the 2021 Governor’s Recall By Mark Baldassare Mar 30, 2021 The PPIC Statewide Survey shows a deep partisan divide on removing Governor Newsom and highlights key factors likely to shape public support for a recall.
