blog post Californians and the 2020 Election By Mark Baldassare Sep 17, 2019 PPIC president and CEO Mark Baldassare discusses some key differences between the state’s voters and nonvoters--and what this means for the 2020 election and California’s future.
blog post The Mood of California Voters and the 2020 Election Cycle By Mark Baldassare Oct 4, 2019 Anxiety among likely voters is noteworthy for its far-reaching implications in the March primary and the November election.
blog post Discontent with Major Political Parties Continues to Simmer By Lauren Mora Mar 19, 2024 More than one-third of Californians have unfavorable views of both the Democratic and Republican parties—a larger share than four years ago—and an overwhelming majority believe the country needs a third major party.
blog post Testimony: Californians’ Views on Recall Reforms and the 2022 Election By Mark Baldassare Feb 1, 2022 PPIC president and CEO Mark Baldassare presents legislative testimony on how Californians view recall process changes that could appear on the 2022 ballot.
blog post How Are Californians Viewing the 2024 Elections? By Mark Baldassare Nov 8, 2023 One year out from the 2024 general election, we take stock of key races for federal office as well as some state propositions that are headed for the ballot.
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.
Report What to Expect from California’s New Motor Voter Law By Eric McGhee, Mindy Romero Jun 15, 2016 In 2015, California passed major legislation to increase the state’s voter rolls by simplifying the voter registration process. Under the New Motor Voter Act, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will electronically transmit information about DMV customers who are eligible to vote to the California Secretary of State, which will add eligible customers to the voter rolls unless they opt out. We find that this law has the potential to significantly alter the demographic composition of the California electorate, making the population of registered voters more representative of the state as a whole. Our estimates also suggest that the new system may rapidly expand the voter rolls, adding more than 2 million new registrants in the first year. Key implementation issues will decide the impact of the New Motor Voter Act. To ensure the law’s success, the state should require DMV customers to attest to their eligibility to vote as a precondition for completing their transaction. It will also be necessary to mobilize new registrants aggressively if they are to become new voters.
page 2024 Election Mar 21, 2022 PPIC provides timely, independent insights on the state’s electorate and important ballot choices.
press release Post-Election Survey: Proposition 8 Results Expose Deep Rifts Over Same-Sex Marriage Dec 3, 2008