Public Policy Institute of California

The November 3 ballot will ask Californians to choose their next governor and decide on over a dozen measures, a number of ballot measures that many deem excessive. At a recent event, survey analyst Deja Thomas shared findings from the latest PPIC Statewide Survey, outlining support for gubernatorial candidates, opinions on the number of ballot measures and their language as well as views on the direction of the state and nation.

As states implement changes to food assistance and public health insurance under new federal requirements, these shifts could have significant effects on poverty. In 2025, California’s poverty rate was 17.3%, similar to 17.7% in 2024, based on the US Census Bureau’s Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM). California’s poverty rate remains among the highest in the country and is 4.8 percentage points above the national rate.

Sources Close American Community Survey; California Department of Finance; US Department of Housing and Urban Development; PPIC Statewide Survey; PPIC analyses of housing, migration, commuting, and homeownership data. American Community Survey; California Department of Finance; US Department of Housing and Urban Development; PPIC Statewide Survey; PPIC analyses of housing, migration, commuting, and homeownership data.

The Colorado River is in crisis. Reservoir levels are at historic lows—Lake Powell is at 21% of capacity, while Lake Mead is at 27%, threatening hydropower operations and possibly even reservoir outflow. Last month, the US Department of the Interior published a final 10-year decision framework for coordinated reservoir operations, as well as interim guidelines for 2027 and 2028. Both aim to stabilize water levels to avoid the most negative outcomes for reservoir operations.

In the past decade, California has grappled with growing rates of homelessness and the intertwined issue of serious drug use. Last week, PPIC policy director and senior fellow Magnus Lofstrom presented key findings from a new report examining trends over time and the potential impact of the state’s criminal justice reforms. He was joined by coauthor and senior fellow Shannon McConville to discuss the report and answer audience questions.

Methodology The PPIC Statewide Survey has been conducted since April 1998 to provide a voice for the public, inform policymakers, encourage discussion, and raise awareness of critical issues facing California. The coauthors of this report include survey director Mark Baldassare, who holds the Miller Chair in Public Policy; associate survey director and research fellow Dean Bonner, survey analyst Lauren Mora; and survey analyst Deja Thomas, who was the project manager for this survey.

Despite uncertainty amid actions by the federal government, California’s trade did not shrink; it shifted. US trade policy has been in flux since early 2025, with the roll out of tariffs; ongoing negotiations with China, Canada, and other countries; and the Supreme Court striking down tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Groundwater is essential to California’s water supply, making up about 40% of water use in most years. Yet groundwater use has outpaced what’s sustainable, resulting in a variety of issues such as land subsidence, ecosystem damage, and saline intrusion. To address these concerns, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) was passed in 2014. The act requires basins to rebalance their pumping and resolve these issues by the early 2040s.

California is often portrayed as uniformly liberal, but the state’s political landscape is geographically varied and shaped by issues of partisanship and affordability. In an event last week, PPIC policy director and senior fellow Eric McGhee presented findings from a new report that dives into Californians’ views at a local level. The research uses data from the PPIC Statewide Survey and captures opinions from 46 places throughout the state. Over time, California has become more Democratic.

About the Program With a highly consequential election fast approaching, what does the political landscape look like in California and the nation? A panel of top political journalists will assess the mood of the electorate and discuss the social, political, and economic trends shaping the November election. As part of our Speaker Series on California’s Future, PPIC is bringing together thought leaders to give Californians a better understanding of the upcoming election.