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