June 2

Primary results

February 19

Total Number: 12

To Watch:
Proposition 3: Elections
Allows for partisan presidential primary elections.

Proposition 5: Indian Gambling/Casinos
Would specify terms and conditions between the state and Indian tribes pertaining to gambling on tribal land. Would amend California law to allow slot machines and bankcard games, as well as permitting lotteries at tribal casinos.

Proposition 9: Nuclear Power Costs
Would prohibit utility companies from continuing the practice of imposing surcharges to cover the costs of nuclear power plants and would limit their recovery of costs associated with non-nuclear power plants. It also would prohibit utilities from issuing bonds to finance rate reductions.

Proposition 10: Children/Smoking
Would create state commission to provide information and materials and to formulate guidelines for establishment of comprehensive early childhood development and smoking prevention programs.

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PARTY CONTROL

Governor: Republican
U.S. Senate: 2 Democrats
U.S. House of Representatives: 29 Democrats, 23 Republicans
State Senate: 23 Democrats, 16 Republicans, 1 Independent
State House of Representatives: 43 Democrats, 37 Republicans

Senate: 20 seats up
House: All 80 seats up

State Projected Voting Age Population: 22,826,000 (1996)
Registered Voters: (10/5/98) 14,969,185

54

Clinton won in 1996; Clinton in 1992; Bush in 1988; Reagan in 1984; Reagan in 1980; Ford in 1976; Nixon in 1972; Nixon in 1968; Johnson in 1964; Nixon in 1960.

LAST TIME VOTED DEMOCRATIC FOR PRESIDENT: 1996

PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN 1996:

Clinton: 51%
Dole: 38%
Perot: 7%
Other: 4%

PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN 1992:

Clinton 46%
Bush 33%
Perot 21%

PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN 1988:

Bush 51%
Dukakis 48%

PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN 1984:

Reagan 58%
Mondale 41%

PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN 1980:

Reagan 53%
Carter 36%
Anderson 9%

1992:

• President
• Senate
• Other Issues

1994:

• Senate
• Governor
• Other Issues

1996:

• President
• Other Issues

Historical voter turnout as a percentage of the voting age population 1996-1960

Population: 31,878,000 (1996)
(% of voting age population)

White: 71.7%
African American: 7.0%
Asian: 9.2%
Native American: 0.8%
Other/Undeclared: 11.3%

Persons of Hispanic origin account for 22.5% of the voting population (from the 1990 Census)

State Capital: Sacramento
State Nickname: Golden State

California is a monster state, in geography, population and political influence. Though it may have a reputation for being liberal and laid-back, the state remains a battleground on issues such as affirmative action, welfare and immigration. If one were to divide California into four major political regions, each with about one quarter of the voters, each would itself be one of the 10 largest states in the nation. ("Almanac of American Politics," 1998) Partisan division in California runs along cultural rather than economic lines, and there are sharp divisions between coastal and inland California and between the state's northern and southern regions. Orange County, just outside Los Angeles County, was once a bastion of Republicanism. The most populous region in the state is no longer a sure thing for Republicans and has become more libertarian than culturally conservative. Orange County voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 209, allowing for racial quotas and preferences, but it also voted to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes. The Hispanic vote, once considered a sure thing for the Democrats, is now up for grabs. The importance of California's 54 electoral votes in the presidential race in 2000 are not missed on candidates in this election cycle. California has the most electoral votes, followed by New York's 33 votes and Texas' 32. Retiring Gov. Pete Wilson (R) is on the list of possible 2000 presidential contenders. He ran in 1996. Sen. Barbara Boxer is one of three women senators seeking reelection in 1996, after first being elected in the 1992 "year of the woman" (Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun (Ill.-D) and Sen. Patty Murray (Wa.-D) are the other two.) Sen. Barbara Mikulski (Md.-D) is the other woman incumbent senator who is up for reelection in 1996.

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