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Most California Voters Say “We Know Best”

By Mark Baldassare

A majority of likely voters believe that policy choices made through the citizens’ initiative process are probably better than those made by state lawmakers.

blog post

Voters’ Wish List for the Next Election Cycle

By Mark Baldassare

California’s citizens’ initiative process remains popular as a way of addressing the state’s most important challenges. But voters believe that the system has certain shortcomings and should be reformed.

blog post

Election Takeaways: California Voters Send Conflicting Signals

By Mark Baldassare

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.

blog post

Are Voters in the Mood to Recall Their Governor?

By Mark Baldassare

With most Californians approving of Gavin Newsom’s overall job performance and his handling of the pandemic—and amid an improved economic outlook—recall proponents could face an uphill battle.

blog post

Video: Do Registration Reforms Add New Voters or Keep Californians Registered?

By Stephanie Barton

PPIC policy director and senior fellow Eric McGhee discusses new research on whether changes to certain voter registration processes in California have increased registration, made the electorate more representative of the state’s population, and helped keep California's voter file current.

At Issue, Report

The State of California Voters

By Mark Baldassare, Jennifer Paluch, Dean Bonner, Sonja Petek

California voters are not happy. They are increasingly distrustful of government, disappointed in the people who run it, and convinced that the nation and state are headed in the wrong direction. And yet, as their disaffection has grown, Californians have begun to register and vote in record numbers. What are voters trying to say? What can they expect from their elected officials in the face of their own partisan divisions? This At Issue provides facts and figures on political involvement, partisan lines, and sources of voter discontent.

Report

How Greater Vote-by-Mail Influences California Voter Turnout

By Eric McGhee, Jennifer Paluch, Mindy Romero

With COVID-19 threatening the November election, many states are working to increase voting by mail. In California, 15 counties have already expanded alternatives to in-person voting, and while overall voter turnout was higher, groups such as foreign-language and young voters sometimes saw declines. Outreach by trusted messengers may help in targeting low-turnout groups.

event

Do Registration Reforms Add New Voters or Keep Californians Registered?

In recent years, new voter registration and voter address updates have surged—due largely to California’s new process for automatic voter registration. In a presentation of a new report, PPIC researcher Eric McGhee will outline the ways in which registration reforms have increased or maintained the voter rolls and join report co-author Mindy Romero in discussing efforts needed to improve voter engagement.

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