Public support for Gov. Jerry Brown’s ballot initiative to raise taxes has slipped to just more than 50 percent, a precarious majority with a growing number of voters now undecided, according to a new Field Poll. [cont.] David Siders, Sacramento Bee Read more »
Test-driving California’s Election Reforms
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 […] Read more »
Support grows in California for federal health care law
A majority of California voters support the national health care overhaul, with the proportion of voters strongly favoring the legislation growing over the previous year, according to a new Field Poll. [cont.] David Siders, Sacramento Bee Read more »
Californians and the Environment
Most California likely voters say that the presidential candidates’ positions on global warming and energy policy are important in determining their vote, and a majority trust President Obama over Mitt Romney on these issues. [cont. – PDF] Public Policy Institute of California Read more »
Republican Party in California Is Caught in Cycle of Decline
… Registered Republicans now account for just 30 percent of the California electorate, and are on a path that analysts predict could drop them to No. 3 in six years, behind Democrats, who currently make up 43 percent, and independent voters, with 21 percent. “It’s no longer a statewide party,” […] Read more »
California’s demographic challenge
At the root of California’s dysfunctional politics lie some old ideas about who we are as a state. Demographics have been more volatile here than in other states, and many Californians older than 55, who make up roughly 46% of state voters, don’t want to pay for changes they never […] Read more »