Rationalizing the California Recall

Popular interpretations of the 2003 CA gubernatorial recall election as a typical gubernatorial election or as the Republican Party's manipulation of political processes are challenged. An overview of the recall election is presented, demonstrating its resemblance to initiatives, referenda, &am...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PS, political science & politics political science & politics, 2004-01, Vol.37 (1), p.19-21
Main Authors: Stone, Walter J., Datta, Monti Narayan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ballots
California
Candidates
Elections
Governors
Political campaigns
Political candidates
Political elections
Political partisanship
Public Support
Recall
Recall elections
Referendum
Referendums
Symposium
Symposium: Recalling the Recall: Reflections on California's Recent Political Adventure
Voter registration
Voting
Voting Behavior
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Summary:Popular interpretations of the 2003 CA gubernatorial recall election as a typical gubernatorial election or as the Republican Party's manipulation of political processes are challenged. An overview of the recall election is presented, demonstrating its resemblance to initiatives, referenda, & primary elections. Analysis of the results of the 2002 general election & the 2003 recall election is conducted, indicating the effects of several indicators -- racial identity, employment status, support for Davis in the 2002 election, party affiliation, & support for Ross Perot in the 1992 US presidential election -- upon voters' preferences. Several findings are revealed: Latino American & African American voters withdrew their traditionally high level of support for Democrats; unemployment status had a greater effect upon support for Davis in the 2002 election; & support for Perot & support for Davis's recall were positively correlated. It is concluded that the CA recall election bears a strong resemblance to a referendum. 1 Table, 1 Figure, 1 Reference. J. W. Parker
ISSN:1049-0965
1537-5935
DOI:10.1017/S1049096504003555