Out this week, an early analysis from the Schwarzenegger Institute at USC written by Prof. Christian Grose, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Southern California, on the effectiveness of California’s election fixes including redistricting and top-two primary reforms.
The early findings are encouraging that the reforms are driving polarized politics back toward the center. From the Report’s preface:
“SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS
Early evidence suggests electoral reforms in California are associated with an
ideological shift in the State Legislature, toward the center.
Since the introduction of top-two primaries and independently drawn district
lines, the Legislature is becoming more moderate and less polarized.
Since the reforms took effect:
— Senators and Assembly members are more moderate overall, and
— Polarization between the two parties, as demonstrated by an analysis of
members’ votes, has been reduced by 15 percent in the Assembly and 10
percent in the Senate.
During the same time period, polarization between the parties has increased
in the U.S. Congress.”
Read/download the full report: The Adoption of Electoral Reforms and Ideological Change in the California State Legislature
Encouraging progress —
The Center Wins 