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?
Report The Effect of Minority Districts and Minority Representation on Political Participation in California By Claudine Gay Jun 1, 2001 Benefiting in part from the creation of majority-minority districts—those in which minority groups constitute a majority of the voting population—California’s Latino and black congressional representatives have emerged as visible political actors in an institution traditionally dominated by whites. Advocates argue that majority-minority districts are beneficial because they encourage more Latinos and African-Americans to participate in the political process. Although this claim has met with considerable skepticism, so far neither the advocates nor the skeptics have offered firm evidence for or against the link between majority-minority redistricting and increased political participation. Claudine Gay’s The Effect of Minority Districts and Minority Representation on Political Participation in California provides this evidence by investigating Latino, African-American, and white turnout rates in California’s 13 majority-minority districts.
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 A Third of Californians View Both Political Parties Negatively By Lauren Mora Oct 31, 2023 With a highly consequential election year just around the corner, a growing share of Californians—now one in three--have an unfavorable view of both major political parties. Seven in ten Californians believe that a third major party is needed, an increase from four years ago.
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.
blog post The 2020 Census and Political Representation in California By Mary Severance Oct 17, 2018 An undercount in the 2020 Census could not only put one of California's congressional seats at risk, it could also affect political representation within the state.
blog post Californians Want the Government to Do More about Drought, Wildfires, and Climate Change By Deja Thomas, Caitlin Peterson Aug 8, 2022 Californians voiced continued concern over water supply, wildfire, and climate issues in this year’s survey on the environment. And while actions are underway, many think that the state could do more to combat these issues swiftly.
Report California in the New Millennium: The Changing Social and Political Landscape By Mark Baldassare Apr 1, 2000 California in the mid-21st century is going to be very different from California today. There is every reason to expect the explosive population growth of the past 20 years to continue, fueled largely by immigration. By mid-century, Latinos will become the dominant ethnic and racial group in the state. In this book, Mark Baldassare examines three of the most powerful undercurrents altering the character of California--the public's strong and increasing distrust of politicians and the legislative process, the rapidly changing racial and ethnic mix of the state's population, and the growing diversity across its major regions.
