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.
blog post Election Takeaways: Golden State of Mind By Mark Baldassare Dec 14, 2018 Record-high voter turnout, a "blue wave" of Democratic victories, and a diverse group of officeholders are among the key takeaways from California's 2018 election.
blog post Video: California’s 2021 Recall Election By Vicki Hsieh Sep 10, 2021 A panel of leading political journalists—Carla Marinucci (POLITICO), Jennifer Medina (The New York Times), and Seema Mehta (Los Angeles Times)—discuss the gubernatorial recall and the state’s electoral landscape.
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?
blog post California’s Voter Turnout Problem By Eric McGhee Nov 19, 2014 Voter turnout in California’s 2014 midterm election was awful. It looks to have hit a new low, with about 42 percent of registered voters deciding to cast a ballot.
blog post A Move to Raise Turnout in LA By Eric McGhee Mar 10, 2015 Less than 9% of Los Angeles voters turned out in last week’s election, yet this select group did something on Election Day that all but guaranteed their membership will grow.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Equity in Voter Turnout after Pandemic Election Policy Changes By Eric McGhee, Jennifer Paluch, Mindy Romero, Stephanie Barton Mar 1, 2022 While California has made progress toward voting equity, reforms meant to address running an election during the pandemic may have disrupted voting habits for some communities.
blog post California’s Independent Voters and the Presidential Primary By Alyssa Dykman Jan 15, 2020 More than one in four registered voters are independents, accounting for the state’s second-largest voting bloc. What role might they play in California’s upcoming presidential primary?
blog post Key Opinion Shifts in California’s Recall Election By Mark Baldassare Sep 1, 2021 Two weeks before the gubernatorial recall, what do shifting views on this election say about its expected outcome?
