California voters have long been described as socially liberal and fiscally conservative, and these days that ‘profile’ is reflected in the rapid rise of independent or ‘decline to state’. In fact, if the current trend continues, in less than 20 years independent voters in California will out-number Republicans or Democrats.
Political analyst David Lesher, of the New America Foundation, discusses Californians’ dissatisfaction with political parties and how this independent spirit is shaping the political landscape.
- How ‘Decline to State’ voters can vote for a party in the 2006 California Primary, Secretary of State
- New America Foundation
- “California’s Independent Streak”, Los Angeles Times article – courtesy of New America Foundation
- California’s Great Disconnect: The governed and the government, California Journal
- Voter Registration Trends, Secretary of State (pdf)