June 2022
ENGAGE!
CID Newsletter
|
|
How do we improve voter turnout and see a more representative electorate? |
|
Much has been reported about the lackluster voter turnout during last week’s California primary.
While official turnout numbers won’t be known for weeks, the primary is expected to yield some of the lowest turnout rates of eligible voters in the state’s history — despite the highest gubernatorial primary election registration in 68 years. Voter participation numbers for communities of color and young people are also expected to be low.
Because voter participation in elections is foundational to a strong democracy—and a topic at the heart of CID’s mission—it is clear from the turnout last week that we need to do a better job, among other action items, of funding and implementing voter education and outreach.
Equally worrisome for our democracy is the fact that low voter turnout in primary elections has become the norm. We need to start changing the dialogue around this issue.
Voter turnout is an area extensively covered in CID’s research, which includes our recent turnout report and analysis of the 2020 general election. Over the next few months, we’ll also be analyzing voter turnout in last week’s primary.
Bottom line, we can’t continue to let some simply argue that voter apathy is the reason for low voter turnout numbers, and that low participation and engagement is an unsolvable problem. There are systemic reasons for this lack of turnout and the disconnection that potential voters feel from our political system that must be addressed. CID plans to be at the forefront of that conversation in the months ahead.
Mindy Romero, Ph.D.
Director
|
|
The January 6th Capitol Riot Hearings |
|
Congressional investigative hearings on the Jan. 6 U.S Capitol riots got underway last week in Washington DC, with several more planned in the days ahead. These hearings have significant implications for the future and integrity of elections in the U.S.
The PBS News Hour is carrying the hearings live with reporting and analysis. Or the hearings can be watched online here.
· Thursday, June 9 at 8 p.m. EDT – Day 1 of the Jan. 6 hearings. Also the first of two expected prime-time hearings. Watch it here.
· Monday, June 13 at 10 a.m. EDT – The hearing focused on details from some of former President Trump’s inner circle about the spread of a false narrative that the 2020 election was stolen. Watch the full hearing here.
· Wednesday, June 15 at 10 a.m. EDT – Postponed. Justice Department officials during the Trump administration were expected to testify. The committee has not provided a new date and time for this hearing.
· Thursday, June 16 at 1:00 p.m. EDT
· Tuesday, June 21 at 1:00 p.m. EDT
· Thursday, June 23 at 1:00 p.m. EDT
The list of all scheduled congressional hearings by week can be found here.
|
|
Some election deniers are winning political nominations across the country |
|
|
|
A growing number of midterm results underscore how much deep suspicion of the 2020 election has taken root among Republican primary voters and some of the officials they already have installed in key positions. |
|
Who won and who lost in Tuesday’s primary elections |
|
|
|
The New York Times recaps the results of notable primary election contests across the country this week. |
|
New Democracy Research & Resources |
|
In an effort to help boost voter engagement and participation across Los Angeles County during the 2022 midterm election, CID rolled out an update to its digital Voter Turnout Tool on May 27.
The tool provided voting advocacy groups, election officials and the general public up-to-date unofficial tabulations of total ballots cast in Los Angeles County by mail, drop box and in-person.
A number of community leaders, voting rights groups, journalists and others have expressed their appreciation for the tool.
|
|
Online Event - Juneteenth & Voting |
|
Building on their 2021 Journey to Juneteenth event, AARP California hosts a chat with Dr. Thanayi Cross Jackson in celebration of the national holiday. They will explore learnings from 2021, examine the importance of civic participation, and more.
CID’s Mindy Romero will be among panelists at this AARP online event examining the holiday of Juneteenth and its connection to civic and social participation.
Friday, June 17, 2022
12-1:00 pm PST
|
|
|
Webinar – The Formerly Incarcerated and Voting Rights |
|
CID will release its latest report, “California’s Formerly Incarcerated: Challenges and Opportunities in Accessing Voting Rights” at a webinar on June. 29. The webinar is being held in partnership with the California Black Power Network (CBPN).
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. PT
|
|
|
Below is a selection of recent CID media coverage:
Columnist Steve Lopez looks at reasons behind low voter turnout. CID’s Romero explains that voter apathy is often cited, but the reasons for lack of participation at the polls goes far beyond that. “It’s a political system that’s not working for the people,” says Romero.
Romero weighs in on the reasons behind low voter turnout and its impact. “We can say we have a totally open, accessible voting system, but we can see that a lot of people sit it out and a lot of people experience barriers to participating.” These include a lack of information, she says, and voters not understanding why an election is actually consequential and important.
With few competitive statewide races on the ballot, California's primary election failed to draw many residents to the polls. CID’s Romero argues that the low turnout is not an anomaly, but rather another sign of the state’s failure to engage with those less inclined to participate in midterm elections.
CID’s Romero joined Insight Host Vicki Gonzalez to explain patterns of voting behavior of Californians and how that could lead to political underrepresentation. “There are a number of factors that can contribute to low turnout, including how — and who — campaigns try to reach with election messages,” commented Romero.
AirTalk Host Larry Mantle speaks to CID’s Romero about the reasons why so many voters decided to sit out the California June primary.
The California June primary election showing a huge discrepancy between voter registration and voter turnout. CID’s Romero explains to anchor Kris Ankarlo that low voter turnout means more elections are being decided by a small group of elites.
San Francisco officials expect to eventually count ballots from around 225,000 voters for the June primary, representing 45.4% turnout, higher than the two previous elections this year.
|
|
|
|
|
Many of our partners and supporters are hiring. Check out the job opportunities below: |
|
Center for Inclusive Democracy |
|
The Center for Inclusive Democracy (CID) 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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
