August 2021
ENGAGE!
CID Newsletter
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As the upcoming California gubernatorial recall election garners national attention, one of the most important issues being discussed is who will most likely turn out to vote and what that may mean for the democratic process.
Because special and recall elections occur outside the normal election cycle, they historically attract far fewer voters. This means that typically a much smaller segment of the electorate determines who wins and who loses.
As a Center focused on maximizing civic participation, what’s concerning about the upcoming recall election is that many California voters or potential voters aren’t aware that the recall is coming up, what the choices are and what’s at stake. This is likely even more true for historically underrepresented groups who often receive less information and outreach about elections.
It will be more critical than ever in the next few weeks to get the word out to all communities about the recall, the choices, how to vote and why it matters.
Meantime, the pressure will be on for Governor Newsom to energize his base, and for replacement candidates to make their case, both critical to motivating voters to go to the polls and ensuring an election that is as representative as possible for all groups and communities in California.
Mindy Romero
Director
Center for Inclusive Democracy
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Mindy Romero presented the CID Voting Location Siting Tool to hundreds of Texas county election officials attending the state's annual Election Law Conference. CID recently expanded the Tool to all counties in the state.
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Justice Department launches task force to combat threats against election officials |
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The U.S. Justice Department announced in late July that it has launched a law enforcement task force to address the rise in threats against election workers, administrators, officials and others associated with the electoral process. “A threat to any election official, worker or volunteer is a threat to democracy,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco in announcing the initiative. |
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The GOP-led Arizona election review appears close to finishing. Here's what to expect
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A widely criticized audit of the 2020 general election underway in Arizona's largest county will soon be completed. The examination of nearly 2.1 million ballots in Maricopa County was ordered by Republican state senators and began last April. NPR reviews what’s next as the audit comes to a close, and its implications as similar ballot reviews are being debated in other states. |
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What's wrong with the recall? |
A July 2021 poll by the Public Policy Institute of California shows that California Governor Newsom remains in a strong position to survive the September 14 recall election. The survey finds 56% of California likely voters approving of the Governor’s handling of jobs and the economy, and 59% approving of his handling of environmental issues. |
Gubernatorial recall election much closer among voters considered most likely to participate than among the overall electorate |
A Berkeley IGS Poll released in late July finds that the proportion of voters in the overall electorate who favor recalling Governor Newsom has not changed much over the past year, with 36% of the state’s registered voters saying they would vote Yes to recall the Governor, while 51% would vote No to retain him. But when the voting preferences of those considered most likely to participate are examined, the outcome becomes much closer, with 47% favoring Newsom’s recall and 50% favoring his retention. |
Voting Election Report: Election Science - A Proposed NSF Convergence Accelerator |
Ensuring that elections throughout the United States are convenient, trustworthy and secure is one of the nation’s most compelling challenges. This new report identifies 14 research challenges in election science that could be solved within a few years with the collaboration of technology providers, election officials and academics, and with appropriate funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Convergence Accelerator program. |
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Nonpartisan Online 2021 Recall Guide for California Voters |
A new 2021 Recall Guide for California Voters is a resource for reliable, nonpartisan information about the upcoming Sept. 14 recall election. Since 1994, the California Voter Foundation has published online guides for California voters to help them make informed, confident choices. CVF’s 2021 Recall Guide features important dates, links to help voters follow the money, tips on how to successfully cast a vote-by-mail ballot, how to check registration or ballot status, election office contact information for all 58 counties, and other helpful and important election information.
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National Public Radio
NPR's Here & Now's host Scott Tong interviews Mindy Romero about the upcoming California recall election and voter turnout implications.
Mindy Romero provides an analysis of why Governor Newsom must focus on Latino, Black and other voters of color for the upcoming recall, groups who have strongly supported him in the past. Due to the unusual nature of the recall, she says, these same groups might not turn out at the same level as the 2020 presidential elections.
With the California recall election fast approaching, Mindy Romero comments that the pressure is on for candidates who have qualified for the ballot to make their case, and for Governor Newsom to galvanize his base in a very short time frame and in an off-cycle election. The many names on the ballot will also likely lead to voter confusion, she added.
CID’s Mindy Romero comments on the UC Berkeley poll that found 47% of likely California voters supported recalling the Democratic governor. Newsom has the political support and dexterity to defeat the recall, said Romero, but won’t want the margin to be close. Newsom’s handling of the COVID pandemic, California wildfires and other factors will likely have an impact too.
Mindy Romero joins Guy Marzorati, reporter and producer at KQED's California Politics and Government desk, to discuss the UC Berkeley recall poll. While the election date is September 14, mail-in voting starts this month and campaigning for and against the proposal is heating up across the state.
Mindy Romero, Loyola Marymount’s Fernando Guerra and KQED government and politics reporter Katie Orr join Larry Mantle to discuss the implications of the UC Berkeley recall poll on California politics.
Less than two months to the recall election, Mindy Romero speaks to Capital Public Radio about how voter engagement and turnout will likely shape the election outcome.
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Many of our partners and supporters are hiring. Check out the job opportunities below: |
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Anti-Hate Response Coord.
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Share Your Democracy Research with CID |
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CID is interested in broadening awareness of new research on elections, voting, civic engagement and related issues. Have research to share? Just send a short write-up to Alexander Richardson at ar04928@price.usc.edu for consideration. Thanks for reading and staying engaged!
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Center for Inclusive Democracy |
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The Center for Inclusive Democracy (CID), formerly known as the California Civic Engagement Project (CCEP), is part of the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy and is based in Sacramento. CID conducts a range of national and multi-state research initiatives exploring voting behavior, civic engagement, electoral and economic research, the intersection of social justice and democracy, and more. Its research informs and empowers a wide range of policy and organizing efforts aimed at eliminating disparities in social and economic well-being. Now a cornerstone project nested within CID’s larger umbrella, the CCEP continues to produce groundbreaking resources and research for California. |
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