Chad Peace
The Public Policy Institute of California released a study on California's voters that concluded: voters are pessimistic and polarized. The most dramatic change in the electorate has been the sudden rise in percentage and number of independent voters and the overwhelming tendency of young voters (ages 18 - 34) to be more liberal on social issues like the legalization of marijuana and same-sex marriage. The study also covered taxes, the initiative process and confidence in local government.
The results of the study showed that there is an increasing partisan divide among Republicans and Democrats on issues like religion, the environment, and immigration. But there were two areas where Democrats and Republicans agree: decisions are better made at the local level, and, the initiative process should be more transparent:
Increase transparency in the initiative process.
The Public Policy Institute of California was established in 1994 with an endowment from William R. Hewlett. It does not take or support positions on measures or candidats. The report does, however, make several policy recommendations including: (1) the need to engage emerging groups of voters: namely independents and latinos, (2) bring more non-partisan information to voters; and, (3) increase the transparency of the initiative process.
Read the Complete Report from the PPIC
Read the PPIC Press Release on the Report
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