IGS in the News

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!

As climate change continues to accelerate, tens of millions of people will become climate migrants, and millions of Americans will be uprooted. This article looks to learn from the Great Migration of African-Americans in the 1920s and the ways that the industrial, social, and economic conditions of the Jim-Crow south led to the gradual reformation of the Democratic political identity as one aligned with racial justice during the 1960s, which is well documented in co-director Shickler's book, Racial Realignment: The Transformation of American Liberalism, 1932–1965.

In the Fox KTVU article, Jana Katsuyama highlights slim margin in February polls between President Biden and Former President Trump, while highlighting some of the reasons for increasing dissatisfaction with each candidate's political bases. This slim margin adds more stakes to President Biden's State of the Union address, to which IGS Co-director Eric Schickler adds, "He's certainly going to convey a sense of himself as someone who works across the aisle, is not a sharp ideologue, and also committed to the norms of democracy,".

Berkeley IGS Poll results cited by the San Francisco Chronicle, reveal that a majority of California voters, including Democrats, oppose cash reparations for Black residents, despite acknowledging the impact of slavery. The Reparations Task Force's recommendations, including cash payments, face skepticism, with 59% opposing. To read more about the poll results, click here. 

Former President Donald Trump is on track to gain the support of California's delegates for next year's Republican convention. The Berkeley IGS poll cited by LA Times highlights the growing support Trump's campaign is accruing, and how several other presidential candidates are doing in comparison. Click here to learn more about the presidential race and the IGS poll findings. 

CBS News cites Berkeley's August 2023 IGS poll, highlighting rising concerns for lack of diversity in elected leadership positions. Californians are worried that state officials do not reflect the diversity of California's population.  To learn more about the results of the IGS poll, click here.