Methodology

This is the 25th year of the PPIC Statewide Survey. Coauthors of this report include survey director Mark Baldassare, who holds the Miller Chair in Public Policy; associate survey director and research fellow Dean Bonner; survey analyst Rachel Lawler, who was project manager for this survey; and survey analyst Deja Thomas. The Californians and Their Government survey is supported with funding from the Arjay and Frances F. Miller Foundation and the James Irvine Foundation. The PPIC Statewide Survey invites input, comments, and suggestions from policy and public opinion experts and from its own advisory committee, but survey methods, questions, and content are determined solely by PPIC’s survey team.

Findings in this report are based on a survey of 1,539 California adult residents. The median time to complete the survey was 20 minutes. Interviews were conducted from January 13–20, 2023. The survey was completed prior to the mass shooting events in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay.

The survey was conducted by Ipsos, using its online KnowledgePanel, in English and Spanish according to respondents’ preferences. KnowledgePanel members are recruited through probability-based sampling and include both those with internet access and those without. KnowledgePanel provides internet access for those who do not have it and, if needed, a device to access the internet when they join the panel. KnowledgePanel members are primarily recruited using address based sampling (ABS) methodology, which improves population coverage, particularly for hard-to-reach populations such as young adults and minority groups. ABS-recruited Latinos are supplemented with a dual-frame random digit dialing (RDD) sampling methodology that targets telephone exchanges associated with areas with a higher concentration of Latinos to provide the capability to conduct representative online surveys with Latinos, including those who speak only Spanish. KnowledgePanel’s recruitment was originally based on a national RDD frame and switched to the primarily ABS-based methodology in 2009. KnowledgePanel includes households with landlines and cell phones, including those with cellphones only and those without phones. ABS allows probability-based sampling of addresses from the US Postal Service’s Delivery Sequence File (DSF). The DSF-based sampling frame used for address selection is enhanced with a series of refinements—such as the appendage of various ancillary data to each address from commercial and government data sources—to facilitate complex stratification plans. Taking advantage of such refinements, quarterly samples are selected using a stratified sampling methodology that aims to retain the representativeness of the panel. KnowledgePanel recruits new panel members throughout the year to offset panel attrition.

To qualify for the survey, a panel member must be age 18 or older and reside in California. A general population sample of Californians was selected using Ipsos’s PPS (probability proportional to size) sampling procedure to select study-specific samples. Briefly, to select such samples, the panel is first weighted to population benchmarks and those panel weights are used as the measure of size for a PPS sample selection that yields a fully representative sample. A total of 1,612 respondents completed the survey out of 3,019 panelists who were sampled, for a response rate of 53 percent. To ensure the highest data quality, we flagged respondents who sped through the survey, which we defined as completing the survey in one-fourth of the overall median time (less than 5 minutes). We also flagged respondents if their self-reported age or gender did not match the data stored in their profile. A total of 73 cases were removed after this review process, resulting in 1,539 total qualified and valid cases.

Accent on Languages, Inc., translated new survey questions into Spanish, with assistance from Renatta DeFever.

Ipsos uses the US Census Bureau’s 2016–2020 American Community Survey’s (ACS) Public Use Microdata Series for California (with regional coding information from the University of Minnesota’s Integrated Public Use Microdata Series for California) to compare certain demographic characteristics of the survey sample—region, age, gender, race/ethnicity, and education—with the characteristics of California’s adult population. The survey sample was closely comparable to the ACS figures. We also used voter registration data from the California Secretary of State to compare the party registration of registered voters in our sample to party registration statewide. The sample of Californians is first weighted using an initial sampling or base weight that corrects for any differences in the probability of selecting various segments of the KnowledgePanel sample. This base weight is further adjusted using an iterative proportional fitting (raking) procedure that aligns sample demographics to population benchmarks from the 2016–2020 ACS data as well as party registration benchmarks from the California Secretary of State’s voter registration file.

The sampling error, taking design effects from weighting into consideration, is ±3.5 percent at the 95 percent confidence level for the total unweighted sample of 1,539 adults. This means that 95 times out of 100, the results will be within 3.5 percentage points of what they would be if all adults in California were interviewed. The sampling error for unweighted subgroups is larger: for the 1,318 registered voters, the sampling error is ±3.7 percent; for the 1,050 likely voters, it is ±4.2 percent. Sampling error is only one type of error to which surveys are subject. Results may also be affected by factors such as question wording, question order, and survey timing.

We present results for five geographic regions, accounting for approximately 90 percent of the state population. “Central Valley” includes Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Tulare, Yolo, and Yuba Counties. “San Francisco Bay Area” includes Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma Counties. “Los Angeles” refers to Los Angeles County, “Inland Empire” refers to Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, and “Orange/San Diego” refers to Orange and San Diego Counties. Residents of other geographic areas are included in the results reported for all adults, registered voters, and likely voters, but sample sizes for these less-populous areas are not large enough to report separately.

We present results for non-Hispanic whites, who account for 41 percent of the state’s adult population, and also for Latinos, who account for about a third of the state’s adult population and constitute one of the fastest-growing voter groups. We also present results for non-Hispanic Asian Americans, who make up about 16 percent of the state’s adult population, and non-Hispanic African Americans, who comprise about 6 percent. Results for other racial/ethnic groups—such as Native Americans—are included in the results reported for all adults, registered voters, and likely voters, but sample sizes are not large enough for separate analysis. Results for African American and Asian American likely voters are combined with those of other racial/ethnic groups because sample sizes for African American and Asian American likely voters are too small for separate analysis. We compare the opinions of those who report they are registered Democrats, registered Republicans, and decline-to-state or independent voters; the results for those who say they are registered to vote in other parties are not large enough for separate analysis. We also analyze the responses of likely voters—so designated per their responses to survey questions about voter registration, previous election participation, intentions to vote this year, attention to election news, and current interest in politics.

Sample sizes and margins of error for each subgroup are presented in the table below.

The percentages presented in the report tables and in the questionnaire may not add to 100 due to rounding.

We compare current PPIC Statewide Survey results to those in our earlier surveys and national surveys conducted by Gallup. Numerous questions were adapted from national surveys by Gallup and the Pew Research Center. Additional details about our methodology can be found at www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/SurveyMethodology.pdf and are available upon request through surveys@ppic.org.

Questions and Responses

January 13–20, 2023
1,539 California adult residents
English, Spanish

Margin of error ±3.5% at 95% confidence level for total sample
Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding

1. First, which one issue facing California today do you think is the most important for the governor and state legislature to work on in 2023?

23% jobs, the economy, inflation
20% homelessness
6% environment, pollution, climate change
6% housing costs, availability
5% immigration, illegal immigration
5% state budget, deficit, spending
5% water, water quality, availability, drought
4% crime, gangs, drugs
3% education, teachers, schools
15% other (specify)
8% don’t know

2. Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way that Gavin Newsom is handling his job as governor of California?

58% approve
40% disapprove
2% don’t know

3. Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way that Governor Newsom is handling the issue of jobs and the economy?

57% approve
42% disapprove
2% don’t know

4. Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way that Gavin Newsom is handling the issue of the state budget and taxes?

52% approve
46% disapprove
2% don’t know

5. Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way that the California Legislature is handling its job?

49% approve
48% disapprove
3% don’t know

6. Do you think that Governor Newsom and the state legislature will be able to work together and accomplish a lot in the next year, or not?

61% yes, will be able to work together
37% no will not be able to work together
2% don’t know

7. Do you think things in California are generally going in the right direction or the wrong direction?

49% right direction
49% wrong direction
2% don’t know

8. How much of the time do you think you can trust the state government in Sacramento to do what is right—just about always, most of the time, or only some of the time?

8% just about always
38% most of the time
53% only some of the time
1% don’t know

9. Would you say the state government is pretty much run by a few big interests looking out for themselves, or that it is run for the benefit of all of the people?

67% a few big interests
31% benefit of all the people
2% don’t know

10. Do you think the people in the state government waste a lot of the money we pay in taxes, waste some of it, or don’t waste very much of it?

45% a lot
46% some
8% don’t waste very much
1% don’t know

11. Turning to economic conditions in California, do you think that during the next 12 months we will have good times financially or bad times?

32% good times
66% bad times
2% don’t know

12. Would you say that California is in an economic recession, or not? (if yes, ask: “Do you think it is in a serious, a moderate, or a mild recession?”)

22% yes, serious recession
33% yes, moderate recession
7% yes, mild recession
– yes, don’t know (vol)
36% no, not in an economic recession
2% don’t know

13. Have recent price increases caused any financial hardships for you or others in your household, or not? (if yes, ask: “Has that been a serious hardship, or not?”)

30% yes, serious
30% yes, not serious
1% yes, don’t know how serious (volunteered)
39% no, have not caused hardship
– don’t know

14. Has the cost of gasoline or other transportation caused any financial hardship for you or your household? (if yes, ask: “Is that a severe hardship that affects your ability to maintain your current standard of living, or is it a moderate hardship that affects you somewhat but does not jeopardize your standard of living?”)

21% yes, caused severe hardship
33% yes, caused moderate hardship
46% no, have not caused hardship
– don’t know

15. And, are you concerned that you or someone in your family will lose their job in the next year, or not? (if yes, ask: “Are you very concerned or somewhat concerned?”)

18% yes, very concerned
12% yes, somewhat concerned
70% no
– don’t know

16. How concerned are you, if at all, about not having enough money to pay your rent or mortgage? Are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned?

17% very concerned
28% somewhat concerned
29% not too concerned
26% not at all concerned
– don’t know

On another topic,

17. Overall, how fair do you think our present state and local tax system is—would you say it is very fair, moderately fair, not too fair, or not at all fair?

3% very fair
39% somewhat fair
38% not too fair
19% not at all fair
1% don’t know

18. When you combine all of the taxes you pay to state and local governments, do you feel that you pay much more than you should, somewhat more than you should, about the right amount, or less than you should?

31% much more
39% somewhat more
26% about the right amount
4% less than you should
1% don’t know

19. Where do you think California currently ranks in state and local tax burden per capita? Compared to other states, is California’s tax burden per capita near the top, above average, average, below average, or near the bottom?

42% near the top
29% above average
19% average
5% below average
3% near the bottom
2% don’t know

Changing topics,

20. Do you think the state budget situation in California—that is, the balance between government spending and revenues—is a big problem, somewhat of a problem, or not a problem for the people of California today?

34% big problem
51% somewhat of a problem
13% not a problem
2% don’t know

[rotate questions 21 and 22]

21. Listed below are some of the largest areas for state spending. Please select the one that represents the most spending in the state budget: [rotate] [1] K–12 public education, [2] higher education, [3] health and human services, [or] [4] prisons and corrections?

18% K–12 public education
6% higher education
42% health and human services
31% prisons and corrections
3% don’t know

22. Listed below are some of the largest areas for state revenues. Please select the one that represents the most revenue for the state budget: [rotate] [1] personal income tax, [2] sales tax, [3] corporate tax, [or] [4] motor vehicle fees?

43% personal income tax
30% sales tax
15% corporate tax
10% motor vehicle fees
3% don’t know

23. Thinking about these four areas of state spending, please select the one you think should have the highest priority when it comes to state government spending: [rotate] [1] K–12 public education, [2] higher education, [3] health and human services, [or] [4] prisons and corrections?

43% K–12 public education
7% higher education
42% health and human services
7% prisons and corrections
2% don’t know

24. Governor Newsom recently proposed a budget plan for the next fiscal year that includes $297 billion in general fund spending and a $22.5 billion budget shortfall. The plan also contains $3.9 billion in “trigger reductions,” or cuts from the budget that would be restored in the future if economic conditions improve. Despite the projected shortfall, the plan currently includes no new taxes. In general, do you favor or oppose the governor’s budget plan?

60% favor
35% oppose
2% haven’t heard anything about the budget (volunteered)
3% don’t know

[rotate questions 25 to 27]

25. Governor Newsom’s budget plan includes a combination of cuts, delayed spending, and shifts in funding sources to bridge the gap between spending and revenues. Currently, the plan calls for spending cuts to areas such as workforce training, transportation, housing programs, and efforts to fight climate change. In general, do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?

48% good idea
50% bad idea
2% don’t know

26. Currently, California’s total budgetary reserves are $35.6 billion, which includes $22.4 billion in the Budget Stabilization Account or “Rainy Day Fund.” Given concerns about a possible nationwide recession, as part of the budget proposal Governor Newsom refrained from accessing the Rainy Day Fund to partially address the current budget shortfall. In general, do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?

70% good idea
26% bad idea
4% don’t know

27. Despite a projected budget shortfall, the governor’s budget proposal continues to sustain promised investments that, among other things, expand transitional kindergarten, sustain universal school meals, support the state’s homelessness strategy, and expand health care access—including expanding Medi-Cal to all income-eligible Californians, regardless of immigration status. In general, do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?

66% good idea
32% bad idea
2% don’t know

28. In general, which of the following statements do you agree with more—[rotate] [1] I’d rather pay higher taxes and have a state government that provides more services, [or] [2] I’d rather pay lower taxes and have a state government that provides fewer services?

45% high taxes and more services
52% lower taxes and fewer services
2% don’t know

Changing topics,

29. [likely voters only] In general, do you think it is a good thing or a bad thing that a majority of voters can make laws and change public policies about the climate crisis in California by passing initiatives?

68% good thing
30% bad thing
2% don’t know

30. [likely voters only] Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with this statement: California would benefit from having a citizens’ assembly on the climate crisis facing the state today, where a group of randomly selected citizens would meet over several days, gather information, discuss issues, and make recommendations for ballot initiatives to take action on the climate crisis?

15% strongly agree
38% somewhat agree
22% somewhat disagree
24% strongly disagree
1% don’t know

Reforms have been suggested to address issues in California’s initiative process.

[rotate questions 31 to 33]

31. [likely voters only] As you may know, there is currently a period of time when the initiative sponsor and the legislature can meet to see if they can agree on a compromise that will be enacted as legislation rather than put on the ballot. Do you favor or oppose requiring the compromise legislation go on the ballot?

66% favor
31% oppose
3% don’t know

32. [likely voters only] Would you favor or oppose having the “yes” and “no” sides of initiative campaigns participate in town halls around the state that are organized and hosted by independent panels?

79% favor
18% oppose
3% don’t know

33. [likely voters only] Would you favor or oppose a new law requiring that volunteers gather signatures to qualify initiatives and banning the use of paid signature gatherers?

67% favor
30% oppose
3% don’t know

Changing topics,

34. How much of a problem is housing affordability in your part of California? Is it a big problem, somewhat of a problem, or not a problem?

70% big problem
24% somewhat of a problem
4% not a problem
1% don’t know

35. Does the cost of your housing make you and your family seriously consider moving away from the part of California you live in now? (if yes, ask: “Does it make you consider moving elsewhere in California, or outside of the state?”)

11% yes, elsewhere in California
34% yes, outside the state
55% no
1% don’t know

36. How concerned are you that the cost of housing will prevent the younger generation in your family from buying a home in your part of California—very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned?

60% very concerned
27% somewhat concerned
8% not too concerned
4% not at all concerned
– don’t know

Next,

37. How much of a problem is homelessness in your part of California? Is it a big problem, somewhat of a problem, or not much of a problem?

70% big problem
26% somewhat of a problem
4% not a problem
– don’t know

38. In the last 12 months, do you think that the presence of homeless people in your local community has increased, decreased or stayed about the same?

70% increased
3% decreased
26% stayed the same
1% don’t know

Next,

39. How much of a problem are violence and street crime in your local community today? Is it a big problem, somewhat of a problem, or not much of a problem?

30% big problem
46% somewhat of a problem
24% not a problem
– don’t know

40. In the last 12 months, do you think that violence and street crime in your local community has increased, decreased, or stayed about the same?

48% increased
5% decreased
46% stayed the same
1% don’t know

Next,

41. How much of a problem is property crime in your local community today? Is it a big problem, somewhat of a problem, or not much of a problem?

30% big problem
44% somewhat of a problem
25% not a problem
1% don’t know

42. In the last 12 months, do you think that property crime in your local community has increased, decreased, or stayed about the same?

47% increased
4% decreased
48% stayed the same
1% don’t know

Next,

43. How would you rate the job your local police are doing in controlling crime in your community: excellent, good, fair, or poor?

9% excellent
37% good
39% fair
13% poor
1% don’t know

44. How concerned are you that you or someone in your family will be a victim of a crime—very concerned, somewhat concerned, not very concerned, or not at all concerned?

21% very concerned
44% somewhat concerned
29% not too concerned
6% not at all concerned
– don’t know

45. Have you or do you know anyone who has ever been a victim of racial profiling? (if yes, ask: “Would that be you or someone you know?”)

7% yes, me
20% yes, someone else
7% yes, both
66% no
– don’t know

Changing topics,

46. Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way that Joe Biden is handling his job as president of the United States?

53% approve
45% disapprove
2% don’t know

47. Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way that President Biden is handling the issues of jobs and the economy?

53% approve
45% disapprove
2% don’t know

48. How much confidence do you have in President Biden to make the right decisions for the country’s future—a great deal of confidence, a good amount, just some, or none at all?

12% great deal of confidence
32% a good amount
28% just some
27% none at all
1% don’t know

49. Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way that the US Congress is handling its job?

27% approve
70% disapprove
3% don’t know

50. Do you have a [rotate] (1) favorable or an (2) unfavorable impression of Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy?

28% favorable
66% unfavorable
6% don’t know

51. Do you think that President Biden and the US Congress will be able to work together and accomplish a lot in the next year, or not?

27% yes, will be able to work together
70% no, will not be able to work together
3% don’t know

52. As you may know, the Republican Party won control of the US House of Representatives as a result of the midterm elections. How much do you think Republican control of the House will change the way things are going in this country—a lot, some, not much, or not at all?

16% a lot
46% some
27% not much
9% not at all
2% don’t know

53. Do you think things in the United States are generally going in the right direction or the wrong direction?

30% right direction
67% wrong direction
2% don’t know

54. Turning to economic conditions, do you think that during the next 12 months the United States will have good times financially or bad times?

24% good times
74% bad times
2% don’t know

55. How much of the time do you think you can trust the federal government in Washington today to do what is right—just about always, most of the time, or only some of the time?

2% just about always
30% most of the time
66% only some of the time
1% don’t know

56. Would you say the federal government is pretty much run by a few big interests looking out for themselves, or that it is run for the benefit of all of the people?

82% a few big interests
16% benefit of all the people
2% don’t know

57. Do you think the people in the federal government waste a lot of the money we pay in taxes, waste some of it, or don’t waste very much of it?

55% a lot
40% some
3% don’t waste very much
2% don’t know

On another topic,

58. Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the way the US Supreme Court is handling its job?

37% approve
59% disapprove
3% don’t know

59. In general, do you think the current US Supreme Court is too liberal, too conservative, or just about right?

15% too liberal
52% too conservative
30% just about right
3% don’t know

60. The Supreme Court is currently a lifetime appointment. Would you support or oppose creating term limits for Supreme Court justices?

71% support
27% oppose
2% don’t know

Changing topics,

[rotate questions 61 to 65]

61. In general, do you think abortion should be [rotate order top to bottom] legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases, or illegal in all cases?

32% legal in all cases
36% legal in most cases
21% illegal in most cases
10% illegal in all cases
1% don’t know

62. Do you favor or oppose allowing gay and lesbian couples to enter into same-sex marriages?

69% favor
29% oppose
2% don’t know

63. Do you favor or oppose laws and policies that protect transgender individuals from discrimination in jobs, housing, and public spaces such as restaurants and stores?

74% favor
24% oppose
2% don’t know

64. Do you think it is necessary to take steps to counter the effects of climate change right away, or do you think it is not necessary to take steps yet?

74% take action right away
25% not necessary to take steps yet
2% don’t know

65. What do you think is more important—[rotate] (1) to protect the right of Americans to own guns, [or] (2) to control gun ownership?

34% protect the right of Americans to own guns
65% to control gun ownership
1% don’t know

On another topic,

[rotate questions 66 and 67]

66. Do you have a [rotate] (1) favorable or an (2) unfavorable impression of the Democratic Party?

50% favorable
49% unfavorable
2% don’t know

67. Do you have a [rotate] (1) favorable or an (2) unfavorable impression of the Republican Party?

23% favorable
75% unfavorable
2% don’t know

68. In your view, do the Republican and Democratic parties do an adequate job representing the American people, or do they do such a poor job that a third major party is needed?

28% adequate job
68% third party is needed
4% don’t know

[rotate questions 69 and 70]

69. In politics, people sometimes talk about liberal and conservative. Would you consider the Democratic Party to be very liberal, somewhat liberal, middle-of-the-road, somewhat conservative, or very conservative?

32% very liberal
31% somewhat liberal
27% middle-of-the-road
5% somewhat conservative
2% very conservative
2% don’t know

70. In politics, people sometimes talk about liberal and conservative. Would you consider the Republican Party to be very liberal, somewhat liberal, middle-of-the-road, somewhat conservative, or very conservative?

3% very liberal
6% somewhat liberal
18% middle-of-the-road
25% somewhat conservative
47% very conservative
2% don’t know

71. Some people are registered to vote and others are not. Are you absolutely certain that you are registered to vote in California?

74% yes [ask q71a]
26% no [skip to 72f]

71a. Are you registered as a Democrat, a Republican, another party, or are you registered as a decline-to-state or independent voter?

47% Democrat [ask q72]
24% Republican [skip to q72a]
2% another party (specify) [skip to q73]
27% decline-to-state/independent [skip to 72b]

[likely voters only]
48% Democrat [ask q72]
26% Republican [skip to q72a]
2% another party (specify) [skip to q73]
24% decline-to-state/independent [skip to 72b]

72. Would you call yourself a strong Democrat or not a very strong Democrat?

49% strong
51% not very strong
– don’t know

[skip to q73]

72a. Would you call yourself a strong Republican or not a very strong Republican?

53% strong
47% not very strong
– don’t know

[skip to q73]

72b. [decline-to-state/independents only] In a few words, can you tell me the main reason why you are registered as a decline-to-state or independent voter and not as a member of a political party?

48% parties don’t reflect my views, not satisfied with parties
13% corruption
7% I vote for candidates, not parties
5% I vote for both Democrats and Republicans
3% politicians/elected officials
1% don’t want political mailings or phone calls
15% other (specify)
8% don’t know

72c. Were you previously registered with a major party or have you always been a decline-to-state or independent voter?

46% previously registered [ask q72d]
54% always been a decline-to-state or independent voter [skip to q72e]
– don’t know [skip to q72e]

72d. What party were you previously registered with?

55% Democratic Party
32% Republican Party
4% American Independent
3% Libertarian
1% Green Party
5% other (specify)
– don’t know

72e. Would you join a political party if it was a good reflection of your political views or do you prefer to be unaffiliated with any specific party?

31% join a political party
69% remain unaffiliated
1% don’t know

72f. Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party or Democratic Party?

16% Republican Party
39% Democratic Party
44% neither (volunteered)
– don’t know

73. Would you consider yourself to be politically: [read list, rotate order top to bottom]

12% very liberal
19% somewhat liberal
43% middle-of-the-road
17% somewhat conservative
8% very conservative
1% don’t know

74. Generally speaking, how much interest would you say you have in politics—a great deal, a fair amount, only a little, or none?

15% great deal
34% fair amount
33% only a little
18% none
– don’t know

[d1–d18 demographic questions]

Authors

Mark Baldassare is survey director at the Public Policy Institute of California, where he holds the Arjay and Frances Fearing Miller Chair in Public Policy. For the previous 15 years, he also served as president and CEO of PPIC. Prior to that, he served as PPIC’s director of research. He is a leading expert on public opinion and survey methodology, and has directed the PPIC Statewide Survey since 1998. He is an authority on elections, voter behavior, and political and fiscal reform, authoring ten books and numerous reports on these topics. He often provides testimony before legislative committees and state commissions. Before joining PPIC, he was a professor of urban and regional planning at the University of California, Irvine, where he held the Johnson Chair in Civic Governance. He has conducted surveys for the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the California Business Roundtable. He holds a PhD in sociology from the University of California, Berkeley.

Dean Bonner is associate survey director and research fellow at PPIC, where he coauthors the PPIC Statewide Survey—a large-scale public opinion project designed to develop an in-depth profile of the social, economic, and political attitudes at work in California elections and policymaking. He has expertise in public opinion and survey research, political attitudes and participation, and voting behavior. Before joining PPIC, he taught political science at Tulane University and was a research associate at the University of New Orleans Survey Research Center. He holds a PhD and MA in political science from the University of New Orleans.

Rachel Lawler is a survey analyst at the Public Policy Institute of California, where she works with the statewide survey team. Prior to joining PPIC, she was a client manager in Kantar Millward Brown’s Dublin, Ireland office. In that role, she led and contributed to a variety of quantitative and qualitative studies for both government and corporate clients. She holds an MA in American politics and foreign policy from the University College Dublin and a BA in political science from Chapman University.

Deja Thomas is a survey analyst at the Public Policy Institute of California, where she works with the statewide survey team. Prior to joining PPIC, she was a research assistant with the social and demographic trends team at the Pew Research Center. In that role, she contributed to a variety of national quantitative and qualitative survey studies. She holds a BA in psychology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Acknowledgments

This survey was supported with funding from the Arjay and Frances F. Miller Foundation and the James Irvine Foundation.