Suchergebnisse

The textbook image of the CA electorate as unusually independent, moderate, antipartisan, & prone to ticket splitting is badly out of date. As in Washington, DC, increased partisan polarization in CA's state government reflects increased partisan polarization in the electorate. This study shows that, compared to other American voters, Californians are stronger party identifiers, more loyal to their parties' candidates, less likely to split their tickets, & more extreme ideologically. Moreover, the CA electorate, like the national electorate, has become increasingly partisan, loyal, consistent, & prone to ideological extremity since the 1970s. These developments, combined with legislative district lines that have given the parties more politically distinct constituencies, have echoed & reinforced the increasingly polarized partisan divisions in CA state government, just as they have at the national level. 3 Tables, 9 Figures, 57 References. Adapted from the source document.