Political Parties, Elections and Campaigns California Government Chapter 9.
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Transcript of Political Parties, Elections and Campaigns California Government Chapter 9.
Political Parties, Elections and Campaigns
California Government
Chapter 9
Connecting Citizens to Government• In a representative democracy, political
institutions link citizens to politics:• Elections• Political Parties
• Through elections, people hold their representative accountable by rewarding representatives they approve of with re-election and punishing representatives they disapprove of by electing their opponents
• Through parties, group conflicts are managed; diverse interests are aggregated; candidates can be identified with a political agenda & also held accountable for their views and actions
Californians are skeptical of linkage institutions
• Skeptical of Elections• Majorities believe they make better decisions than
government officials• But, only 44% trust their fellow citizens to make good
public policy decisions at the ballot box*
• Skeptical of Parties• More and more voters are not affiliating with a major
political party; more than 20% today “decline to state” a party when registering to vote
• 75% believe that state government is run by a few big interests*
* Source: Mark Baldassare, et al “Californians and Their Government,” Public Policy Institute of California, Dec. 2010.
California: A Weak Party State• Democrats dominate the legislature and more
people are registered as Democrats than any other party
• However:• Less than a majority are registered Democrats• 20% are Independent, and that category is growing• 7 of 10 would prefer not be registered with a party*• Historically, Progressive “anti-party” elections laws
sought to loosen political party control over elections: • Direct Democracy• Secret Ballots• Cross-filing from 1910s – 1950s• Direct Primaries• Nonpartisan local elections
• Still, parties organize government
* Source: Mark Baldassare, “California’s Post-Partisan Future,” Public Policy Institute of California, January 2008, 2.
Party Voters
Democratic 43.9% 7,932,373Republican 28.9% 5,225,675Americans Elect 0.0% 3,417American Independent 2.6% 476,157Green 0.6% 112,973Libertarian 0.6% 109,636Peace and Freedom 0.3% 61,612Other 2.0% 367,483Decline to state 20.9% 3,766,457
total 100.0% 18,055,783 Eligible to register 23,857,732Registered 75.7% 18,055,783
California Registration February 10, 2013
Who can register to vote?
QualificationsU.S. CitizenCalifornia ResidentAt least 18 years old on Election DayNot found by a court to be mentally incompetentNot in State Prison or on Parole for a State Felony
People may register and vote if they are in county jail or on probation for a county conviction
Use this link to register to vote:
http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm
Three Parts of a Party
• How does one define a political party?• Parties have different functions, and 3 different
dimensions of a party can be identified.
1. Party in the Electorate (PIE):• Refers to members who share similar beliefs about
the role that government should play in their lives• Refers to the generalized sentiment a party’s
members share about what it means to be a Republican, Democrat, or member of any other party
1. Party in the Electorate (PIE)DEMOCRATS
Tend to be:ethnically diverse (54% White)low-to-middle income bracketYoungerFemale: Women outnumber men
Most lean liberal or hold liberal views:• Tolerate higher taxes for more
government services• Want government to promote
equality• Favor greater access to healthcare• Favor same-sex marriage• More responsive to labor unions• Favor looser immigration laws• Favor steps to curb global warming
REPUBLICANSTend to be:
White (82%)Higher income bracketOlder Male: Men slightly outnumber women
3 out of 4 are “conservative”*:• Against taxes• Favor strictly limited government• Want government to stay out of health
care• More responsive to business• Oppose same-sex marriage• Oppose abortion• Favor strong anti-immigration laws• Oppose steps to curb global warming
* Source: Mark Baldassare, “California’s Post-Partisan Future,” Public Policy Institute of California, January 2008.
1. Party in the Electorate (PIE)Individuals often develop attachment to
one of the major parties Family traditionSchoolWork, Marriage
Ethnic support of partiesWhites about equally Democratic or RepublicanBlacks, Hispanics and Asians more Democratic
Gender and MarriageWomen more likely than men to support DemsMarried individuals more likely than unmarried
to support Reps
Ethnicity and Voting 2012
Ethnicity and Voting field poll 2435
(PIE)Ethnic voters had a major impact on the 2012
election From 1994 to 2012 the state added about 3.5 million
voters, of those about 3 million have been ethnic voters (Hispanics, Asians, Blacks)
In 2012 a majority of ethnic voters supported Obama and Prop 30 and a majority of white voters opposed Obama and Prop 30
Ethnic voters have been becoming more Democratic, Democratic positions ethnics support:
Many Hispanics support path to citizenship Many ethnics support active government (for example
Obamacare) Younger ethnic voters tend to be more liberal than older
ethnic voters (e.g. support gay marriage, legal pot)
Three Parts of a Party
2. Party in Government (PIG)Elected officials help build their party’s “brand
name” through lawmaking, speeches and other activities
The purpose of parties: organize government in order to achieve their policy aims
The party in government is made up of the Governor and other statewide officials, California representatives and US representatives
Three Parts of a Party
2. Party in Government (PIG)At the state level the two major parties in
California are strongly ideologically polarizedRepublican elected officials are strongly
conservative, they oppose raising taxes and government spending
Democratic elected officials are liberal, willing to raise taxes and spend money to support government programs
Three Parts of a Party
2. Party in Government (PIG)Elections tend to be uncompetitive (between
the parties), based on:Natural “sorting”: people tend to live near others
like themselves, so many areas are dominated by one party
In the past: “gerrymandering” favored incumbents and the majority party
Three Parts of a Party
3. Party Organizations (PO)A party’s organizational bodies, including
conventions, and its rules:State Central CommitteeCounty Central CommitteeRegional volunteer clubs
Parties help: nominate candidates for election and get them elected
Three Parts of a Party
3. Party Organizations (PO)Decentralized Structures
The state central committees and the county central committees have no power over elected officials, they support the elected officials, they do not direct them
The national party has no control over the state party
Lack of PatronageParties do not have jobs or work contracts to give out
to supporters
Role in Campaign FinanceParties can be influential in coordinating contributions
to party supported candidates
Political Parties in California
Major Political PartiesThe Democratic Party of CaliforniaThe Republican Party of CaliforniaAll partisan offices are won by
individuals from these two parties
Minor PartiesLibertarian
Usually at least some statewide candidatesGreen
EnvironmentalistPeace and Freedom
Very left-wingAmerican Independent
Very right-wingAmericans Elect – probably one-time in 2012These minor parties never win partisan electionsA very small number of Libertarians and Greens
win non-partisan elections
An important features of California’s Political Landscape
East-west divide is prominentCoastal regions are heavily liberal to moderate
and trend Democratic, and inland counties are much more conservative and strongly Republican
Makes drawing competitive districts difficult
Citizens, residents, and voters are not the same groups of people Some of these groups (voters) make decisions for
the others (non-voters, those ineligible to vote)
The Divide: Coastal-Inland (West-East)
Elections in California: Recent ReformsRules often change through voter-approved
initiativesRecent electoral changes and
consequences: Term limits for state officials: turnover for
offices is high; open seats are common; competition is higher for all types of officesHas led to less experienced representativesHas resulted in more frequent special
elections to fill seats vacated by ambitious individuals moving up the political ladder
Incumbents still elected at high rates
Vote by Mail and Early Voting
Anyone can request a vote by mail ballotAnyone can request to have permanent
Absentee Voter StatusIf you are permanent absentee then a vote by
mail ballot will be mailed to you for each election
Many counties (including Los Angeles) allow early voting at designated locationsRise of “vote by mail” (55% in 2012)
Elections in California: Recent Reforms
New primary election system started 2011: “Top two” primary elections: any voter can vote for a candidate from any party in the June primary (also called an “open primary”) All candidates from all parties appear on the June
primary ballot Candidates can choose whether their party is listed on
the ballot or notRegardless of vote percentage won, the Top Two
candidates in each race advance to the general election in November Goal of the Top Two system is to elect more moderate,
less ideological politiciansPresidential primaries do not use Top Two, they
are closed to voters registered with other parties
Elections in California: Recent Reforms
District maps for 2012-2020 created by a new Citizens Redistricting Commission
Goal of this reform was to take the job of drawing maps away from the state legislature so politicians would no longer draw their own districts
Maps for CA Assembly, CA Senate, CA Board of Equalization and US Congress
Two reforms aimed at increasing voter participation
Initiatives will only be voted on in general elections (or in special elections)
Online voter registration
Campaigning in California
Incumbents are in “permanent campaign” mode
Big donors to candidates believe they are buying “access” to the politician
Campaign contributions and expenses must be reported to the Fair Political Practices Commission
Independent spending (spending by outside groups) is rising, due to US Supreme Court decision Citizens United v. FEC (2010)
Campaigning in California
Huge sums typically needed to reach residents spread across large areas, or densely populated (and expensive) media markets
Elections are competitive and costly; open seats can cost much more than these averages:Average ASSEMBLY race: $750,000Average SENATE race: $1,000,000
Campaign Management Firms
“Air War” Politics in CaliforniaCampaigns depend less on direct person-to-
person contact and more on radio, TV and direct mail advertisements
Credible campaigns in California are run by campaign consultants
First campaign consultants: Whitaker and Baxter in the 1930’sHusband and wife team that developed the basic
model of campaign management firms; ran very negative campaign against Upton Sinclair in 1934 governor’s race
Elections: Partisan and Non-PartisanA Partisan Election is one in which
candidates can list their party (less than 1% of California elected offices are partisan, but they are the most powerful offices): Federal OfficesState LegislatureStatewide Executive Offices (except
Superintendent of Public Instruction)Non-Partisan Elections are those in which a
candidate cannot list a political party (a progressive reform)State Superintendent of Public InstructionJudgesAll Local Offices (county, city, school board)
Statewide Election Calendar: Even YearsThe Primary (early June)
Voters choose top-two in Partisan officesSome (State and Local) Non-Partisan Elections
The General Election (early November)Partisan top-two run-offSome (State and Local) Non-Partisan Runoff
ElectionsSome Local ElectionsBallot Measures
Special elections: RecallsSpecial elections: called by the governor
Local ElectionsLocal elections are often held on dates
different from statewide elections so they will not be overshadowed by statewide elections
For example the city of Los Angeles has a non-partisan March primary and May run-off in odd years
This can result in voters in some areas voting twice a year every year, which can result in “voter fatigue”
Elections 2010: Governor, other state executives, State Leg, US Congress, PropsJune 2010 partisan primaries (old style), incumbents
wonNov 2010 general election
Gov: Jerry Brown (D), all state-wide executive offices won by Democrats, state legislature: most incumbents won, US Congress: incumbents won
Props Passed: Prop 25 end 2/3 requirement to pass budget and Prop 26 add requirement of 2/3 vote for fees
Props Failed: legalize pot; temporarily eliminate greenhouse gas law
2010 Elections
Elections 2012Primary June 5th
First widespread use of “top two” primary system for State Legislature and U.S. Congress
New District BoundariesDemocratic and GOP presidential primaries wrapped up by
Obama and Romney before CA got to voteGeneral Election November 6th
Presidential election in CA: Obama (60%), Romney (37%)Initiatives passed in November: Prop 30: temporarily raise
taxes to fund education, Prop 36: requires “3rd strike” to be violent or felony, Prop 39: new way to calculate multi-state business tax, money collected to go for clean energy
2012 Elections
Elections 2013Los Angeles City Election
Primary Election for Mayor and half of city council March 5, 2013, top two Eric Garcetti (33%) and Wendy Gruel (29%), rest 38%
Run off Election for Mayor of Los Angeles May 21, 2013 won by Eric Garcetti (54%) over Wendy Gruel (46%)
Elections 2014 Election for Governor and other statewide officialsState Legislature, US Congress, Initiatives in Nov. onlyLocal elections including Los Angeles County
Supervisors
2013 and 2014 Elections