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California Voters, Candidates, Campaigns...

California Voters, Candidates, Campaigns. Voters Candidates Campaigns Money Media Elections, Campaigns, and the Media. Voters. Eligibility: citizen; resident in CA for 29 days before election;18 years old; not in prison, on probation, in mental institution

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California Voters, Candidates, Campaigns...

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  1. California Voters, Candidates, Campaigns... • Voters • Candidates • Campaigns • Money • Media • Elections, Campaigns, and the Media

  2. Voters • Eligibility: citizen; resident in CA for 29 days before election;18 years old; not in prison, on probation, in mental institution • 33 million residents; >21 million eligible to vote • 16 million registered (76%); 11 million vote • Who votes? elderly, suburbanites, Republicans...

  3. Candidates • Weak parties; candidates aren’t as often recruited • Individuals interested in politics, with resources • Historically, white males with money; not as representative of population as some states • Begin to see changes in 1990s with more Latino and women candidates • Longest serving leader of Assembly: Willy Brown • Fewer Asian Americans or gays or lesbians

  4. Campaigns • Primary elections since 1909; emphasis on individuals and personalities • Campaign consultants used first in California • Cost of campaigns is high ($1 million for state leg) • 1998 gubernatorial campaign exceeded $100 M (Al Checchi spent $38 M) • Political Reform Act of 1974 required disclosure • Proposition 34 sets limits on contributions

  5. Money • PACs can pay for ads and mailings independently and bypass some restrictions • Money buys access and long-term influence • Consultants are required to manage TV advertising • 90% of voters report influence by TV ads • In ‘98, $47 M spent on TV ads for Indian gaming • Direct mail used when advertising too costly • Increased use of Internet (2 in 1994; >300 in 2000)

  6. The Media • Historically, newspaper moguls dominated politics • LA Times: Harrison Gray Otis • San Francisco Examiner: William Randolph Hearst • San Francisco Chronicle: de Young brothers • Sacramento Bee: James McClatchy • When families controlled papers, editorials were personal; today papers owned by corporations; even editorials are more “professional”

  7. The Media • Television • Most stations rely on newspapers for state government information • Candidates who want exposure can rely on 4 stations: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento (represent 85% of viewing public) • Most stations don’t cover political debates because they don’t attract sufficient viewers

  8. Elections, etc. • More money, fewer substantive reports of candidates and issues, more emphasis on personalities and candidate ads • Fewer voters register and vote • Are voters satisfied? • Is democracy working?

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