IGS in the News

The 2024 U.S. presidential election has been carried out in an atmosphere of extreme tension, featuring a blitz of disinformation, threats of election interference and the potential for violence. Berkeley scholars say such dynamics could render usually routine election processes unpredictable and vulnerable to disruption, but that the system will almost certainly survive such tests.

This fall, two UC Berkeley centers are gearing up for the election by hosting a variety of events to help others make informed voting decisions. The Institute of Governmental Studies (led by Sociology Professor Cristina Mora and Political Science Professor Eric Schickler) and Social Science Matrix (led by Sociology Professor Marion Fourcade) have partnered in various events and panels spanning over the next two months that will cover the national and state implications of this election year.

On Thursday, September 19, the Latina Futures 2050 Lab hosted an engaging panel discussion featuring prominent scholars, including IGS Co-director Cristina Mora, a leading voice in the study of race, identity, and politics. The event focused on the critical role of women of color in shaping the 2024 general election.

UC Berkeley students Dushant Puri, 19, and Angel Aldaco, 21, attended the September 10th Presidential Debate Watch Party hosted by IGS. The Associate Press captured moments from the event, and quoted both students in their recap  article, "To pumped-up Democrats, Harris was everything Biden was not in confronting Trump in debate".

The lead photo for the Washington Post's recap of the September 10th Presidential Debate features The Institute of Governmental Studies' well attended Presidential Watch Party at UC Berkeley. This event was the first in a semester long series around the 2024 election, and highlights how engaged young people are in the coming election. The article discusses ABC News' decision to provide live fact-checking of the candidates' claims as the debate went on, and differing perceptions on how their interjections affected the debate.

Tomorrow (Tuesday, September 10th) night's Presidential Debate between Former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, set for 6 p.m. PST on Tuesday, Sept. 10, broadcast via ABC News, is shaping up to be a well attended and widely watched event, as both candidates are under immense pressure to deliver strong performances. The watch party hosted by the Institute of Governmental Studies and the Robert T.

California has lost one-third of its newspapers and 68% of journalists since 2005, driven by the rise of digital media. Assembly Bill 886 would require platforms like Google to pay news outlets for linking to their content, while Senate Bill 1327 aims to support local journalism through fees on tech companies for user data.

With Biden stepping down, Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom are seen as Democratic frontrunners. UC Berkeley's Co-Director of IGS Eric Schickler believes Harris has the edge, especially with Biden's backing, and her nomination could be historic as the first Black woman president. Republicans may struggle to cast Harris as weak on crime due to her prosecutorial background.

With Biden stepping down, Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom are seen as Democratic frontrunners. UC Berkeley's Eric Schickler believes Harris has the edge, especially with Biden's backing, and her nomination could be historic as the first Black woman president. Republicans may struggle to cast Harris as weak on crime due to her prosecutorial background.

With President Biden’s 2024 bid in question, Kamala Harris is gaining renewed attention. Though her vice presidency has faced criticism, recent IGS poll show growing Democratic support for her as a presidential candidate. Born and raised in California, Harris’ career spans from district attorney to U.S. senator, marked by a pragmatic approach to politics. Known for her focus on criminal justice reform and tackling sex crimes, Harris has been both praised and criticized for her cautious, non-ideological stances.

In a historic moment echoing past political violence, former President Donald Trump was injured in a shooting at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The attack, which left one attendee dead and two critically injured, recalls assassination attempts on figures like Theodore Roosevelt and Gerald Ford. Trump, though briefly downed, was later reported to be "fine." Eric Schickler, a political science professor at UC Berkeley, noted that many Americans today aren't familiar with the political violence of the 1960s and '70s, making the attack even more shocking.

Democrats are increasingly concerned about President Joe Biden's electability, drawing parallels to Senator Dianne Feinstein's declining mental acuity. Eric Schickler, a political science professor at UC Berkeley, notes that while there’s reluctance to challenge aging party elders, the stakes with Biden are much higher. Unlike Feinstein, whose resignation would have ensured a Democratic replacement, Biden’s potential exit raises complex risks for the party.

Young voters from the millennial and Gen Z generations are emerging as a powerful force in American politics, but an IGS poll revealed their growing fatalism about issues like economic inequality, climate change, and democracy's future. Researchers express concern about low turnout in 2024 due to disillusionment with government effectiveness. Findings show a convergence of values among young liberals and conservatives seeking action, yet a pervasive sense of hopelessness may impact their engagement in the upcoming election.

An IGS poll was cited in a Miami Herlad article discussing California term limits, showing that a significant majority of California voters are in favor of term limits for local elected officials, such as county supervisors, district attorneys, and sheriffs. Experts suggest that this support may indicate a push for new leadership in the upcoming November elections. Read the full article here.

The article cites results from the 2024 LABC Institute Housing Affordability Survey in Partnership with the Los Angeles Times, showing a 2-1 margin in support of increased home building in LA, despite nearly half of voters polled doubting its ability to effectively address the housing crisis. 

The Possibility Lab, in collaboration with the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, has released findings from a January 2024 survey of 8,199 California voters. The poll assessed access to 12 essential resources, including housing, food, water, and employment. Results reveal that over half of respondents face challenges in accessing basic necessities, with nearly 75% agreeing that affordable housing is difficult to secure in their area.

IGS is proud to congratulate one of our 2024 Percy Fellows, Alina Zarate! Alina will be presenting her research on UFW Political Advocacy and Farmworker Justice in the 21st century alongside Dr. Christian Paiz! We are extremely proud of the work you are doing, and can't wait to see what you do next. Congratulations Alina!