Data-driven insights into California politics, from local school boards to statewide races. We analyze voting patterns, demographic shifts, and electoral trends to help you understand what's really happening in California's political landscape.
May 13, 2025
We analyzed more than a decade of California ballot measures to reveal the hidden factors behind voter approval of local taxes. Discover how ballot language, tax types, and strategic framing shape the outcomes of tax proposals—and learn which specific combinations succeed most often.
Read moreApril 22, 2025
Explore how Trump support shifted across California districts between 2016-2024. Our data reveals surprising double-digit gains in Democratic areas while Republican districts remained stable. See the complete analysis with The Ballot Book's redistricting-adjusted data.
Read moreApril 15, 2025
What explains support for rent control in California? Our analysis of Proposition 33 reveals that it’s not just about income or affordability—it's about identity. Voter registration, housing tenure, generational divides, and immigrant communities all play powerful, independent roles in shaping how Californians view rent regulation. Using data from The Ballot Book, we explore which cities supported the measure and why.
Read moreApril 08, 2025
In 2014, California voters passed Proposition 47, reducing certain non-violent offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. Ten years later, Proposition 36 (2024) reversed course by increasing penalties for theft and drug offenses. Using The Ballot Book's comprehensive election data, we analyzed how California cities shifted their stance on criminal justice over this decade.
Read moreApril 01, 2025
When SB 1439 became law in 2022, it aimed to curb donor influence by restricting local officials from voting on matters tied to recent contributors. New data from 95 California agencies shows that while overall fundraising and outside spending remain strong, the law may not have significantly changed how money moves through local politics.
Read moreMarch 18, 2025
At what point does voter registration make a district unwinnable for Republicans or Democrats? Analyzing over 700 elections since 2014, we pinpoint the exact registration advantage where races become toss-ups and highlight the candidates who’ve defied the odds most dramatically.
Read moreMarch 11, 2025
Southern California’s Republican candidates face a strategic dilemma heading into 2026: embrace Trump’s populism and energize core supporters, or pivot toward traditional Republican themes to appeal to moderates. Data from 150 cities shows income strongly shapes local political dynamics, revealing two distinct GOP factions—Trump-first populists and moderate, business-oriented Republicans.
Read moreMarch 04, 2025
Analyzing California’s 2024 congressional races using partisan baselines reveals subtle differences compared to Assembly results. While Assembly races showed a more notable statewide shift toward Republicans, congressional contests saw only minimal deviations. Highlights include notable overperformances and underperformances, and the factors that might explain these nuanced outcomes.
Read moreFebruary 24, 2025
Our analysis reveals which California Assembly candidates outperformed expectations in 2024. Using The Ballot Book's comprehensive election database, we've identified districts where candidate performance bucked partisan trends, showing opportunities for both parties in future elections.
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