Parties and Elections in California

Anagnoson et al chapter 4

Californiarsquos weak political parties

Reforms from the Progressive Era Presidential and partisan primaries Nonpartisan elections Office block ballots Cross-filing (until 1959)

Changes in CA Party Registration 1978-2009

Party Registration by Age

Party Registration by Gender

Party Registration by Education

Party Registration by RaceEthnicity

Party Registration by Nativity

Figure 43 Percent Difference between Democratic andRepublican Registration by County (2008 Presidential Primary)

Governing California in theTwenty-first Century 3rd Edition

Copyright copy 2011 WW Norton amp Company

CA Population and Voter Registration 1978-2009

CA Voter Turnout

Qualified Third Parties American Independent Green Libertarian

amp Peace and Freedom Parties Relatively easy for third parties to get on

the ballot By registration (1 of voters in past general

election) By petition (10 of voters in past general

election)

Staying Qualified To stay qualified a party must past both of

the following tests One of its candidates for statewide office must

receive at least 2 of the vote in any gubernatorial election

The party must maintain at least 115 of 1 of the total registration

The Peace and Freedom Party was removed from the ballot in 2000 for failing to meet these requirements but re-qualified in 2003

Can Third Party Candidates Win In March 1999 Green Party

member Audie Bock 53 bested Democrat Elihu Harris in a special election to the Assembly winning by just 327 votes out of 29021 cast (turnout was 15) Bock was the first third-party

candidate to be elected to the states legislature since 1917

Bock lost (running as an Independent) in November 2000 to Democrat Wilma Chan

News clip

Californiarsquos weak political parties

Reforms from the Progressive Era Presidential and partisan primaries Nonpartisan elections Office block ballots Cross-filing (until 1959)

Changes in CA Party Registration 1978-2009

Party Registration by Age

Party Registration by Gender

Party Registration by Education

Party Registration by RaceEthnicity

Party Registration by Nativity

Figure 43 Percent Difference between Democratic andRepublican Registration by County (2008 Presidential Primary)

Governing California in theTwenty-first Century 3rd Edition

Copyright copy 2011 WW Norton amp Company

CA Population and Voter Registration 1978-2009

CA Voter Turnout

Qualified Third Parties American Independent Green Libertarian

amp Peace and Freedom Parties Relatively easy for third parties to get on

the ballot By registration (1 of voters in past general

election) By petition (10 of voters in past general

election)

Staying Qualified To stay qualified a party must past both of

the following tests One of its candidates for statewide office must

receive at least 2 of the vote in any gubernatorial election

The party must maintain at least 115 of 1 of the total registration

The Peace and Freedom Party was removed from the ballot in 2000 for failing to meet these requirements but re-qualified in 2003

Can Third Party Candidates Win In March 1999 Green Party

member Audie Bock 53 bested Democrat Elihu Harris in a special election to the Assembly winning by just 327 votes out of 29021 cast (turnout was 15) Bock was the first third-party

candidate to be elected to the states legislature since 1917

Bock lost (running as an Independent) in November 2000 to Democrat Wilma Chan

News clip

Changes in CA Party Registration 1978-2009

Party Registration by Age

Party Registration by Gender

Party Registration by Education

Party Registration by RaceEthnicity

Party Registration by Nativity

Figure 43 Percent Difference between Democratic andRepublican Registration by County (2008 Presidential Primary)

Governing California in theTwenty-first Century 3rd Edition

Copyright copy 2011 WW Norton amp Company

CA Population and Voter Registration 1978-2009

CA Voter Turnout

Qualified Third Parties American Independent Green Libertarian

amp Peace and Freedom Parties Relatively easy for third parties to get on

the ballot By registration (1 of voters in past general

election) By petition (10 of voters in past general

election)

Staying Qualified To stay qualified a party must past both of

the following tests One of its candidates for statewide office must

receive at least 2 of the vote in any gubernatorial election

The party must maintain at least 115 of 1 of the total registration

The Peace and Freedom Party was removed from the ballot in 2000 for failing to meet these requirements but re-qualified in 2003

Can Third Party Candidates Win In March 1999 Green Party

member Audie Bock 53 bested Democrat Elihu Harris in a special election to the Assembly winning by just 327 votes out of 29021 cast (turnout was 15) Bock was the first third-party

candidate to be elected to the states legislature since 1917

Bock lost (running as an Independent) in November 2000 to Democrat Wilma Chan

News clip

Party Registration by Age

Party Registration by Gender

Party Registration by Education

Party Registration by RaceEthnicity

Party Registration by Nativity

Figure 43 Percent Difference between Democratic andRepublican Registration by County (2008 Presidential Primary)

Governing California in theTwenty-first Century 3rd Edition

Copyright copy 2011 WW Norton amp Company

CA Population and Voter Registration 1978-2009

CA Voter Turnout

Qualified Third Parties American Independent Green Libertarian

amp Peace and Freedom Parties Relatively easy for third parties to get on

the ballot By registration (1 of voters in past general

election) By petition (10 of voters in past general

election)

Staying Qualified To stay qualified a party must past both of

the following tests One of its candidates for statewide office must

receive at least 2 of the vote in any gubernatorial election

The party must maintain at least 115 of 1 of the total registration

The Peace and Freedom Party was removed from the ballot in 2000 for failing to meet these requirements but re-qualified in 2003

Can Third Party Candidates Win In March 1999 Green Party

member Audie Bock 53 bested Democrat Elihu Harris in a special election to the Assembly winning by just 327 votes out of 29021 cast (turnout was 15) Bock was the first third-party

candidate to be elected to the states legislature since 1917

Bock lost (running as an Independent) in November 2000 to Democrat Wilma Chan

News clip

Party Registration by Gender

Party Registration by Education

Party Registration by RaceEthnicity

Party Registration by Nativity

Figure 43 Percent Difference between Democratic andRepublican Registration by County (2008 Presidential Primary)

Governing California in theTwenty-first Century 3rd Edition

Copyright copy 2011 WW Norton amp Company

CA Population and Voter Registration 1978-2009

CA Voter Turnout

Qualified Third Parties American Independent Green Libertarian

amp Peace and Freedom Parties Relatively easy for third parties to get on

the ballot By registration (1 of voters in past general

election) By petition (10 of voters in past general

election)

Staying Qualified To stay qualified a party must past both of

the following tests One of its candidates for statewide office must

receive at least 2 of the vote in any gubernatorial election

The party must maintain at least 115 of 1 of the total registration

The Peace and Freedom Party was removed from the ballot in 2000 for failing to meet these requirements but re-qualified in 2003

Can Third Party Candidates Win In March 1999 Green Party

member Audie Bock 53 bested Democrat Elihu Harris in a special election to the Assembly winning by just 327 votes out of 29021 cast (turnout was 15) Bock was the first third-party

candidate to be elected to the states legislature since 1917

Bock lost (running as an Independent) in November 2000 to Democrat Wilma Chan

News clip

Party Registration by Education

Party Registration by RaceEthnicity

Party Registration by Nativity

Figure 43 Percent Difference between Democratic andRepublican Registration by County (2008 Presidential Primary)

Governing California in theTwenty-first Century 3rd Edition

Copyright copy 2011 WW Norton amp Company

CA Population and Voter Registration 1978-2009

CA Voter Turnout

Qualified Third Parties American Independent Green Libertarian

amp Peace and Freedom Parties Relatively easy for third parties to get on

the ballot By registration (1 of voters in past general

election) By petition (10 of voters in past general

election)

Staying Qualified To stay qualified a party must past both of

the following tests One of its candidates for statewide office must

receive at least 2 of the vote in any gubernatorial election

The party must maintain at least 115 of 1 of the total registration

The Peace and Freedom Party was removed from the ballot in 2000 for failing to meet these requirements but re-qualified in 2003

Can Third Party Candidates Win In March 1999 Green Party

member Audie Bock 53 bested Democrat Elihu Harris in a special election to the Assembly winning by just 327 votes out of 29021 cast (turnout was 15) Bock was the first third-party

candidate to be elected to the states legislature since 1917

Bock lost (running as an Independent) in November 2000 to Democrat Wilma Chan

News clip

Party Registration by RaceEthnicity

Party Registration by Nativity

Figure 43 Percent Difference between Democratic andRepublican Registration by County (2008 Presidential Primary)

Governing California in theTwenty-first Century 3rd Edition

Copyright copy 2011 WW Norton amp Company

CA Population and Voter Registration 1978-2009

CA Voter Turnout

Qualified Third Parties American Independent Green Libertarian

amp Peace and Freedom Parties Relatively easy for third parties to get on

the ballot By registration (1 of voters in past general

election) By petition (10 of voters in past general

election)

Staying Qualified To stay qualified a party must past both of

the following tests One of its candidates for statewide office must

receive at least 2 of the vote in any gubernatorial election

The party must maintain at least 115 of 1 of the total registration

The Peace and Freedom Party was removed from the ballot in 2000 for failing to meet these requirements but re-qualified in 2003

Can Third Party Candidates Win In March 1999 Green Party

member Audie Bock 53 bested Democrat Elihu Harris in a special election to the Assembly winning by just 327 votes out of 29021 cast (turnout was 15) Bock was the first third-party

candidate to be elected to the states legislature since 1917

Bock lost (running as an Independent) in November 2000 to Democrat Wilma Chan

News clip

Party Registration by Nativity

Figure 43 Percent Difference between Democratic andRepublican Registration by County (2008 Presidential Primary)

Governing California in theTwenty-first Century 3rd Edition

Copyright copy 2011 WW Norton amp Company

CA Population and Voter Registration 1978-2009

CA Voter Turnout

Qualified Third Parties American Independent Green Libertarian

amp Peace and Freedom Parties Relatively easy for third parties to get on

the ballot By registration (1 of voters in past general

election) By petition (10 of voters in past general

election)

Staying Qualified To stay qualified a party must past both of

the following tests One of its candidates for statewide office must

receive at least 2 of the vote in any gubernatorial election

The party must maintain at least 115 of 1 of the total registration

The Peace and Freedom Party was removed from the ballot in 2000 for failing to meet these requirements but re-qualified in 2003

Can Third Party Candidates Win In March 1999 Green Party

member Audie Bock 53 bested Democrat Elihu Harris in a special election to the Assembly winning by just 327 votes out of 29021 cast (turnout was 15) Bock was the first third-party

candidate to be elected to the states legislature since 1917

Bock lost (running as an Independent) in November 2000 to Democrat Wilma Chan

News clip

Figure 43 Percent Difference between Democratic andRepublican Registration by County (2008 Presidential Primary)

Governing California in theTwenty-first Century 3rd Edition

Copyright copy 2011 WW Norton amp Company

CA Population and Voter Registration 1978-2009

CA Voter Turnout

Qualified Third Parties American Independent Green Libertarian

amp Peace and Freedom Parties Relatively easy for third parties to get on

the ballot By registration (1 of voters in past general

election) By petition (10 of voters in past general

election)

Staying Qualified To stay qualified a party must past both of

the following tests One of its candidates for statewide office must

receive at least 2 of the vote in any gubernatorial election

The party must maintain at least 115 of 1 of the total registration

The Peace and Freedom Party was removed from the ballot in 2000 for failing to meet these requirements but re-qualified in 2003

Can Third Party Candidates Win In March 1999 Green Party

member Audie Bock 53 bested Democrat Elihu Harris in a special election to the Assembly winning by just 327 votes out of 29021 cast (turnout was 15) Bock was the first third-party

candidate to be elected to the states legislature since 1917

Bock lost (running as an Independent) in November 2000 to Democrat Wilma Chan

News clip

CA Population and Voter Registration 1978-2009

CA Voter Turnout

Qualified Third Parties American Independent Green Libertarian

amp Peace and Freedom Parties Relatively easy for third parties to get on

the ballot By registration (1 of voters in past general

election) By petition (10 of voters in past general

election)

Staying Qualified To stay qualified a party must past both of

the following tests One of its candidates for statewide office must

receive at least 2 of the vote in any gubernatorial election

The party must maintain at least 115 of 1 of the total registration

The Peace and Freedom Party was removed from the ballot in 2000 for failing to meet these requirements but re-qualified in 2003

Can Third Party Candidates Win In March 1999 Green Party

member Audie Bock 53 bested Democrat Elihu Harris in a special election to the Assembly winning by just 327 votes out of 29021 cast (turnout was 15) Bock was the first third-party

candidate to be elected to the states legislature since 1917

Bock lost (running as an Independent) in November 2000 to Democrat Wilma Chan

News clip

CA Voter Turnout

Qualified Third Parties American Independent Green Libertarian

amp Peace and Freedom Parties Relatively easy for third parties to get on

the ballot By registration (1 of voters in past general

election) By petition (10 of voters in past general

election)

Staying Qualified To stay qualified a party must past both of

the following tests One of its candidates for statewide office must

receive at least 2 of the vote in any gubernatorial election

The party must maintain at least 115 of 1 of the total registration

The Peace and Freedom Party was removed from the ballot in 2000 for failing to meet these requirements but re-qualified in 2003

Can Third Party Candidates Win In March 1999 Green Party

member Audie Bock 53 bested Democrat Elihu Harris in a special election to the Assembly winning by just 327 votes out of 29021 cast (turnout was 15) Bock was the first third-party

candidate to be elected to the states legislature since 1917

Bock lost (running as an Independent) in November 2000 to Democrat Wilma Chan

News clip

Qualified Third Parties American Independent Green Libertarian

amp Peace and Freedom Parties Relatively easy for third parties to get on

the ballot By registration (1 of voters in past general

election) By petition (10 of voters in past general

election)

Staying Qualified To stay qualified a party must past both of

the following tests One of its candidates for statewide office must

receive at least 2 of the vote in any gubernatorial election

The party must maintain at least 115 of 1 of the total registration

The Peace and Freedom Party was removed from the ballot in 2000 for failing to meet these requirements but re-qualified in 2003

Can Third Party Candidates Win In March 1999 Green Party

member Audie Bock 53 bested Democrat Elihu Harris in a special election to the Assembly winning by just 327 votes out of 29021 cast (turnout was 15) Bock was the first third-party

candidate to be elected to the states legislature since 1917

Bock lost (running as an Independent) in November 2000 to Democrat Wilma Chan

News clip

Staying Qualified To stay qualified a party must past both of

the following tests One of its candidates for statewide office must

receive at least 2 of the vote in any gubernatorial election

The party must maintain at least 115 of 1 of the total registration

The Peace and Freedom Party was removed from the ballot in 2000 for failing to meet these requirements but re-qualified in 2003

Can Third Party Candidates Win In March 1999 Green Party

member Audie Bock 53 bested Democrat Elihu Harris in a special election to the Assembly winning by just 327 votes out of 29021 cast (turnout was 15) Bock was the first third-party

candidate to be elected to the states legislature since 1917

Bock lost (running as an Independent) in November 2000 to Democrat Wilma Chan

News clip

Can Third Party Candidates Win In March 1999 Green Party

member Audie Bock 53 bested Democrat Elihu Harris in a special election to the Assembly winning by just 327 votes out of 29021 cast (turnout was 15) Bock was the first third-party

candidate to be elected to the states legislature since 1917

Bock lost (running as an Independent) in November 2000 to Democrat Wilma Chan

News clip

Why Did Audie Bock Win Feb 1998 Ron Dellums retires from Congress April 1998 State Senator Barbara Lee elected to

replace Dellums Sept 1998Nov 1998 State Assemblyman Don

Perata elected to replace Lee Feb 1999 Elihu Harris (D) 49 Frank Russo (D)

37 Audie Bock (G) 87 March 1999 ldquoChicken-dinner vouchers

Party Affiliation Registration in the two major parties has

declined in recent years Democrats have lost the most registrants

while Decline to States have increased 446 Democrats 308 Republicans 201 Decline to State (report)

Party Affiliation Registration in the two major parties has

declined in recent years Democrats have lost the most registrants

while Decline to States have increased 446 Democrats 308 Republicans 201 Decline to State (report)

Party Registration by County Democratic areas

(blue) tend to be coastal and urban

Republican areas (red) tend to be inland and rural Although most counties

are red most Californians live in the blue counties

The Battle Over the Primary Until 1998 closed system 1996 Proposition 198 blanket primaries

Ruled unconstitutional 2000

June 2010 Proposition 14 Top Two

Moving the Primary Until 2000 California held its primary elections

in June Left California out of the presidential nominating

game

Switch to early March in 2000 and 2004 Back to June for 2006 February AND June for 2008 (Prop 93) 2012

Proposition 93 Limits on Legislatorsrsquo Terms in Office

Initiative Constitutional Amendment Reduces the total amount of time a person may

serve in the state legislature from 14 years to 12 years Allows a person to serve a total of 12 years either in the Assembly the Senate or a combination of both Provides a transition period to allow current members to serve a total of 12 consecutive years in the house in which they are currently serving regardless of any prior service in another house

Next Local Election 110811 County Registrar Menlo College polling place Fireside

Lounge Nov 5-7 Menlo College Get-Out-the-Vote

effort (with Dr McCabe)

The Battle Over the Primary Until 1998 closed system 1996 Proposition 198 blanket primaries

Ruled unconstitutional 2000

June 2010 Proposition 14 Top Two

Moving the Primary Until 2000 California held its primary elections

in June Left California out of the presidential nominating

game

Switch to early March in 2000 and 2004 Back to June for 2006 February AND June for 2008 (Prop 93) 2012

Proposition 93 Limits on Legislatorsrsquo Terms in Office

Initiative Constitutional Amendment Reduces the total amount of time a person may

serve in the state legislature from 14 years to 12 years Allows a person to serve a total of 12 years either in the Assembly the Senate or a combination of both Provides a transition period to allow current members to serve a total of 12 consecutive years in the house in which they are currently serving regardless of any prior service in another house

Next Local Election 110811 County Registrar Menlo College polling place Fireside

Lounge Nov 5-7 Menlo College Get-Out-the-Vote

effort (with Dr McCabe)

Moving the Primary Until 2000 California held its primary elections

in June Left California out of the presidential nominating

game

Switch to early March in 2000 and 2004 Back to June for 2006 February AND June for 2008 (Prop 93) 2012

Proposition 93 Limits on Legislatorsrsquo Terms in Office

Initiative Constitutional Amendment Reduces the total amount of time a person may

serve in the state legislature from 14 years to 12 years Allows a person to serve a total of 12 years either in the Assembly the Senate or a combination of both Provides a transition period to allow current members to serve a total of 12 consecutive years in the house in which they are currently serving regardless of any prior service in another house

Next Local Election 110811 County Registrar Menlo College polling place Fireside

Lounge Nov 5-7 Menlo College Get-Out-the-Vote

effort (with Dr McCabe)

Proposition 93 Limits on Legislatorsrsquo Terms in Office

Initiative Constitutional Amendment Reduces the total amount of time a person may

serve in the state legislature from 14 years to 12 years Allows a person to serve a total of 12 years either in the Assembly the Senate or a combination of both Provides a transition period to allow current members to serve a total of 12 consecutive years in the house in which they are currently serving regardless of any prior service in another house

Next Local Election 110811 County Registrar Menlo College polling place Fireside

Lounge Nov 5-7 Menlo College Get-Out-the-Vote

effort (with Dr McCabe)

Next Local Election 110811 County Registrar Menlo College polling place Fireside

Lounge Nov 5-7 Menlo College Get-Out-the-Vote

effort (with Dr McCabe)