Ironically, the November election results point to the central role of the legislature and the governor-and not citizens’ initiatives-in addressing some of the important problems facing California today. Majorities of likely voters across the state’s regions and age, education, gender, income, and racial/ethnic groups hold this view. Today, majorities across partisan groups (59% Democrats, 77% Republicans, 64% independents) choose the citizens’ initiative as their preferred approach to tackling the most important issues facing the state. When asked in our November survey about the best way to address the most important problems facing California today, two in three California likely voters (66%) say that “California voters should decide what to do by bringing initiatives to the ballot box and passing them.” By contrast, just one in three likely voters say that “the governor and state legislature should decide what to do and pass state laws.” Our polling earlier this year also reaffirmed a long pattern of glowing reviews for citizens’ initiatives. Generally speaking, the citizens’ initiative process remains highly regarded by voters, even while none of this November’s ballot measures struck a chord. The November PPIC Survey points to problems and solutions with great clarity after a disappointing year. While they still believe in the direct democracy system, they also want changes in its future use. But this year, voters were largely nonplussed about the crop of citizens’ initiatives. This is why initiative contests usually matter so much in California. Not only do these measures play an outsized role in making policy, they also generate enthusiasm about casting ballots and excitement about election outcomes. Repeating the trend established 14 years ago, Democratic candidates have won or are leading in every statewide office, focusing our election-night drama instead on state propositions. The red ripple that resulted in a closely divided Congress fell short in blue California.
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