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civic engagement

We Need to Talk

Solving California’s Civic Engagement Problem

California is often criticized for having some of the lowest civic engagement rates in the nation, but Pete Peterson, executive director of the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at Pepperdine’s School of Public Policy, suggested that the state may be getting an unfair reputation.

“If you look at us nationwide, we don’t look too good,” he said in front of a diverse crowd of hundreds of Angelenos on a panel co-presented with the New America Foundation as part of the Connecting California partnership. “If you look at us …

May 19, 2011

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Why Don’t Californians Talk About Politics?

Three Experts Discuss What Has Caused Our Apathy

May 18, 2011

Most agree that California’s political system is broken, and experts say one major hurdle to fixing it is citizens’ disengagement. The voter registration rate is among the lowest in the …

California’s Engagement Gap

Why We Don't Talk Politics, And Why It Matters

by Pete Peterson | May 15, 2011

“Washington is Hollywood for ugly people” is a bipartisan quip variously attributable to political figures from Republican Senator John McCain to Democratic adviser Paul Begala. Given recent survey data measuring …

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Essay

California’s Engagement Gap

Why We Don't Talk Politics, And Why It Matters

by Pete Peterson|May 15, 2011

“Washington is Hollywood for ugly people” is a bipartisan quip variously attributable to political figures from Republican Senator John McCain to Democratic adviser Paul Begala. Given recent survey data measuring …

Connecting California

Why Does California Hate Public Participation?

Real Civic Engagement Requires Both Money and Robust Infrastructure

by Joe Mathews|March 11, 2019

Los Angeles is a city of more than four million people. And in its next budget, it might—I repeat, might—launch an Office of Civic Engagement to help all residents better …

Essay

The Real Reason Why Californians Don’t Vote

It’s Not Just Registration Problems and Bad Candidates. People Are Also Really Busy.

by Pete Peterson|June 23, 2014

In the stages of grief, media coverage of California voters’ low turnout in the June primary jumped denial, and headed straight to anger and bargaining. “Something amazing happened in California …

Connecting California

To Make California a True Democracy, Give Non-Citizens the Right to Vote

If You Root for the Dodgers, Pay Taxes, and Battle Traffic, Are You Any Less Californian Than Me?

By Joe Mathews|August 8, 2017

President Trump claims that California allowed millions of non-citizens to cast ballots in the 2016 elections. This allegation, while totally bogus, has put California and its political leaders on the …


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