Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare Jan 1, 2002 This is the eighth survey in a series of large-scale public opinion polls that will be conducted by PPIC during the 2002 California election cycle. (Fifteen surveys were conducted during the 1998 and 2000 election cycles). The purpose of the surveys is to develop an objective, in-depth profile of the social, economic, and political forces affecting public policy preferences and elections in California. Some findings of the current survey: Californians say public schools, the economy, and the electricity situation are the most important issues facing the state today. Two months before the March 5th primary, former Los Angeles mayor Richard Riordan holds a sizable lead over his two opponents for the Republican nomination for governor. Among likely GOP primary voters, 41% are inclined to vote for Riordan, 13% for Secretary of State Bill Jones, and 4% for businessman William Simon. Still undecided: 42% of GOP primary voters. In a hypothetical match-up today for the gubernatorial election, Riordan holds a slight edge over Governor Gray Davis among all likely voters (41% to 37%). On a state ballot measure that would ease the restrictions on term limits (Proposition 45), 31% of voters today would vote yes, 61% would vote no.
Report Political Reform and Moderation in California’s Legislature: Did Electoral Reforms Make State Representatives More Moderate? By Eric McGhee May 8, 2018 California implemented several important election reforms at the start of this decade. Each was intended in part to promote more flexible, moderate decision-making among California’s elected officials in an era of increasingly acrimonious partisan conflict. This report looks at the moderating effect of three reforms: the shift of authority to draw legislative and congressional districts from the state legislature to an independent redistricting commission; the loosening of term limits for state legislators; and a highly open “top two” primary system.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare Feb 1, 2002 This is the ninth survey in a series of large-scale public opinion polls that will be conducted by PPIC during the 2002 California election cycle. The purpose of the surveys is to develop an objective, in-depth profile of the social, economic, and political forces affecting public policy preferences and elections in California. Some findings of the current survey: The dynamics in the governor's race have changed dramatically. Richard Riordan still leads in the GOP primary race, but Bill Simon is gaining ground. Among likely voters, Riordan held a 37-point lead over Simon in January (41% to 4%). By mid-February, Riordan's lead had shrunk to 17 points (41% to 24%). In a hypothetical match-up today for the gubernatorial election, Riordan holds a slight edge over Governor Gray Davis among all likely voters (46% to 40%), and Simon and Bill Jones have narrowed the gap between themselves and Davis since January. Davis leads Simon 44% to 40% and he leads Jones 44% to 39%. Independent voters are divided between voting in the GOP primary (23%) and the Democratic primary (27%), while half say they will vote in neither (32%) or haven't made up their minds (18%). On a state ballot measure that would ease the restrictions on term limits (Proposition 45), 59% of likely voters today would vote no.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Deja Thomas Feb 1, 2023 Key findings include overwhelming majorities say housing affordability and homelessness are a big problem; many Californians worry younger generations will be unable to afford a home. Majorities expect bad times ahead for the state financially. Approval of Newsom and Biden has remained steady, while approval has fallen for the US Supreme Court and Congress.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Government By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Sonja Petek, Jui Shrestha May 24, 2012 Some findings of the current survey: Just over half of likely voters support a proposition to raise the cigarette tax—a big drop since March. Most likely voters say they will vote yes on a proposition to alter term limits in the California Legislature. Half of likely voters say that President Obama’s support of gay marriage does not affect their view of him. Job Approval Ratings: President Obama [PDF] Governor Brown [PDF] California State Legislature [PDF] U.S. Congress [PDF] Time Trends of Job Approval Ratings: President Obama [XLS] Governor Brown [XLS] California State Legislature [XLS] U.S. Congress [XLS] Mood of Californians: General Direction of Things in California [PDF] Economic Outlook for California [PDF] Time Trends for the Mood of Californians: General Direction of Things in California [XLS] Economic Outlook for California [XLS] This survey was supported with funding from The James Irvine Foundation.
Fact Sheet California’s 2011 Redistricting: Challenges and Controversy By Eric McGhee, Vladimir Kogan Dec 1, 2011
blog post Tackling “Forever Chemicals” in the Water Supply By Sarah Bardeen Jan 19, 2023 Much has been made of two drinking water pollutants recently: PFAS and microplastics. We spoke with Jason Dadakis of the Orange County Water District to learn more about these pollutants—and to find out how worried we should be.
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.
