event 2022 Election Preview Oct 6, 2022 With one month to go before a highly consequential election, what does the political landscape look like in California and the nation? A panel of top political journalists will discuss emerging themes and issues, and assess the mood of the voters.
blog post Improving Lives through Public Policy By Tani Cantil-Sakauye May 16, 2023 President and CEO Tani Cantil-Sakauye reflects on the role that PPIC’s independent, nonpartisan research plays in helping to improve Californians’ physical, educational, and economic well-being.
blog post Likely Voters Are Uneasy as California Shifts from Pandemic to Endemic By Mark Baldassare Apr 27, 2022 As California gears up for its third statewide election in three years, the political landscape is shaped by changing views on COVID-19, education, and the economy.
Report California’s Political Geography 2020 By Eric McGhee Feb 24, 2020 California still leans Democratic overall, but independents are leaning Republican in many areas of the state. A closer look suggests that registering all eligible residents to vote could moderate more partisan places. Views on specific issues also follow their own geographic patterns.
blog post Redistricting Injects Some Uncertainty into the 2022 Elections By Eric McGhee Apr 7, 2022 While new political districts shake things up for incumbents, competitiveness in state assembly districts has declined amid an increasing focus on congressional contests.
Report Interest Group Influence in the California Initiative Process By Elisabeth R. Gerber Nov 1, 1998 Perhaps the most dramatic change in the California political system over the past two decades has been the increasing use of the initiative process. Between 1976 and 1996, Californians voted on 106 statewide ballot initiatives. Spending on initiative campaigns has grown commensurately, peaking in 1996 at an all-time high of $140 million. Many observers argue that the initiative process has been captured by wealthy economic interests able to "buy" favorable initiative legislation. This background paper presents evidence to the contrary. Despite their vast monetary resources, economic interests are generally unable to enlist the sympathy of a sufficiently large number of people to pass new laws through the initiative process. Economic groups more often and more successfully use their resources to oppose ballot measures and thereby maintain the status quo.
blog post Californians and the Presidential Debate By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Alyssa Dykman, Rachel Lawler Sep 28, 2020 California residents express a high level of interest in tomorrow’s presidential debate. What does this say about the state’s political landscape as the 2020 election approaches?
event Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government Dec 14, 2018 PPIC’s latest survey looks at Californians’ views of the post-election landscape, including opinions on the new Congress, the state’s fiscal and policy priorities, income inequality, and immigration. In addition to tracking approval of state and federal leaders, the survey examines perceptions of Governor-Elect Newsom’s plans for California. PPIC researcher Dean Bonner will outline these and other key findings.
blog post Californians and the November 2020 Election By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Alyssa Dykman, Rachel Lawler Oct 5, 2020 California’s likely voters are anxious about the troubling state of affairs in the nation and state, with COVID-19, the economy, and wildfires among their chief concerns.
