The State of Electoral Democracy in California

The Democracy Policy Lab has released a new report analyzing the health of California’s electoral democracy over the past 25 years. Using the State Democracy Index (SDI)— a systematic, quantitative measure of democratic performance— Professor Jacob Grumbach and Francesca Bitton (MPP ’25) find that California’s democratic performance has significantly improved since the 2000s, even as the state demonstrated notable democratic backsliding during that same period.

Key reforms such as the creation of an independent redistricting commission, the adoption of automatic voter registration, and the expansion of universal mail voting, all contributed to a more accessible and representative democratic system. Yet, challenges remain. California continues to grapple with lengthy vote counting processes, a complex and often confusing ballot initiative process, and limited party competition.

At a time when many states face rising threats to democratic norms—including voter suppression, partisan gerrymandering, and declining institutional trust— California offers a powerful example of how policy can strengthen electoral democracy, while also highlighting where continued improvements are needed. Read the report.