Posted on 11/14/2006 8:00:19 AM PST by SmithL
The single most powerful factor in California's politics -- one that underlies its chronically dysfunctional government -- is the ever-widening division between Californians as a whole and those who vote.
California's population is growing strongly, and with virtually all of that growth stemming from immigration and the state's economy continuing to mutate, it has become the globe's most complex society.
Ironically, however, little of that complexity is reflected in the body politic, as last week's election confirmed anew. Ever-fewer Californians are voting, creating a widening gap between the characteristics and priorities of voters and those of the overall population.
The turnout of voters for last week's gubernatorial election hit an all-time low. Although there are still late absentee and provisional ballots to be tallied, as few as 7.5 million Californians cast ballots, well under 50 percent of registration and only a third of the 22.7 million adult citizens who could vote, if they wished. Whatever the final number turns out to be, it will be much lower than even the most pessimistic pre-election forecasts.
The characteristics of voters, derived from news media exit polls, stand in stark contrast with those of California's overall population. The Los Angeles Times exit poll, for instance, found that 75 percent of voters were non-Latino whites, even though whites have dropped to well under 50 percent of the overall population.
California's white population is aging rapidly, with a graying baby boomer generation, a very low birthrate and little immigration, which means the electorate is also aging. Depending on which exit poll is examined, at least 65 percent, and perhaps as much as 75 percent, of last week's voters were over 45 years old, and only a third had children at home.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Why do they refuse to just come out and say it?
And in other words, that's exactly the fait our politicians keep hoisting on us.
I keep hearing about how conservatives are outbreeding liberals, but I fail to see how this happening seeing as how the illegals here are breeding like rats.
I would say that the controlling factor is the difference between those who gave up and moved to Florida and those who were foolish enough to stay behind.
CA needs a voting requirement that voters be english speaking.
It will never happen but I'd be happy with a purple finger requirement.
Between the illegal Mexicans and the H1B visa Asians, I'd say a good portion of the state is non-citizen and CAN'T vote.
Little imagination? Walters, you just proved how a shallow a blithering idiot you really are.
My guess is he means little immigration of LEGAL voters. Real citizens with young children are not going to CA, it's too restrictive in every way, expensive to live and has a bad reputation for schooling.
I suspect there was a low turnout just because it was a boring election.
Everyone knew Arnold was going to win in a landslide for governor against pathetic opposition.
Were there any significant seats being contested?
D
You got it. California's heyday of being a desirable place to live is long gone. Walk down the Promenade in Santa Monica and see the Calif. of today. There will be far more reverse migration of citizens as time goes on. Sad, and also too late to reverse thisngs. I believe it started in the 70's with huge numbers of NY'ers and other NE liberals moving into the state after several bad winters. The leftist tilt was just beginning.
The real issue in the recent CA election was the Propositions, both state and local.
There were competitive races for Lt. Governor and Secretary of State. McClintock might have won with better conservative turnout.
Generally speaking, down ballot officers are the people who end up as governor.
Living here makes me wonder if we should start a campaign saying, 'Please do not vote; you are ignorant of domestic and foreign issues and a real danger to our Republic.' I will be the first to send some dough to a group putting those ads on CNN and MSNBC.
The "little immigration" is of White people. There's certainly no shortage overall.
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