The Impact of Building Grassroots Movements @socalgrantmaker #scg2016 #BeTheChange
The Impact of Building Grassroots Movements Karthick Ramakrishnan Professor of Public policy and Political Science/Associate Dean UC Riverside @socalgrantmaker #scg2016 #BeTheChange
Unequal Voices California s Racial Disparities in Political Participation Presenter: Karthick Ramakrishnan (collaboration with John Dobard and team) #UNEQUALVOICES @AP_CALIFORNIA @UCRSPP
Summary Latinos and Asian Americans face greatest inequalities in voting Racial disparities are worse in midterm elections and continue in local elections Racial gaps persist in nearly all forms of participation beyond voting To reduce racial gaps, political and community leaders should focus on community mobilization, policy design, and process innovation #UNEQUALVOICES @AP_CALIFORNIA @UCRSPP
With Automated Voter Registration, Future Focus on Citizenship and GOTV #UNEQUALVOICES @AP_CALIFORNIA @UCRSPP
Turnout in Statewide and Local Elections Especially Important #UNEQUALVOICES @AP_CALIFORNIA @UCRSPP
Vote By Mail: Racial Gaps #UNEQUALVOICES @AP_CALIFORNIA @UCRSPP
#UNEQUALVOICES @AP_CALIFORNIA @UCRSPP
Beyond Voting: Contact Officials Nation 13% California 12% White 16% Black 9% Asian American 6% Latino 5% #UNEQUALVOICES @AP_CALIFORNIA @UCRSPP
Beyond Voting: Hearings and Meetings Nation 11% California 12% White 15% Black 11% Asian American 7% Latino 6% #UNEQUALVOICES @AP_CALIFORNIA @UCRSPP
Beyond Voting: Protest (2008) Nation 3% California 5% White 6% Black 4% Asian American 4% Latino 3% #UNEQUALVOICES @AP_CALIFORNIA @UCRSPP
Beyond Voting: Consumer Activism Nation 13% California 14% White 20% Black 7% Asian American 8% Latino 7% #UNEQUALVOICES @AP_CALIFORNIA @UCRSPP
Gaps Remain Even After Controlling For Education and Income #UNEQUALVOICES @AP_CALIFORNIA @UCRSPP
Data Recommendations If we don t measure it, difficult to track and improve Expand the range of participation data collected in regular statewide surveys (PPIC, Field, CHIS) Collect data at multiple levels, including administrative data County and city level data collection on who participates Consider ways to incentivize or mandate collection of local data #UNEQUALVOICES @AP_CALIFORNIA @UCRSPP
Remaining Challenges How do we get to scale? Investments are working, but big racial gaps remain How do go from IVE to ICP? Integrated Civic Participation Attention being paid, but the measures and the prize still seems to be focused on Voting How do we go from measuring participation to empowerment? #UNEQUALVOICES @AP_CALIFORNIA @UCRSPP
Thank You Karthick Ramakrishnan Professor and Associate Dean School of Public Policy UC Riverside karthick@ucr.edu @karthickr www.advancementprojectca.org/unequalvoices #UNEQUALVOICES @AP_CALIFORNIA @UCRSPP
The Impact of Building Grassroots Movements Virginia Mosqueda Senior Program Officer The James Irvine Foundation @socalgrantmaker #scg2016 #BeTheChange
BUILDING LASTING GRASSROOTS MOVEMENTS FOR CHANGE #BolderTogether Virginia Mosqueda The James Irvine Foundation CALIFORNIA CIVIC PARTICIPATION FUNDERS
10 Statewide Funders for Civic Participation in CA
OUR VISION A California where the electorate is representative of its communities; all people have the ability to shape their own lives, and realize their dreams; civic leadership reflects the state s diversity.
San Bernardino Orange Riverside San Diego
HOW TO BUILD MOVEMENTS AND WIN DEVELOP & SUPPORT LEADERS INFLUENCE POLICIES SUSTAIN LONG-TERM PROGRESS
RESULTS TO DATE
TAKEAWAYS FOR FUNDERS Photo by Ed Crisostomo
The Impact of Building Grassroots Movements James Woodson Organizing Coordinator California Calls @socalgrantmaker #scg2016 #BeTheChange
WHY A FOCUS ON AFRICAN AMERICANS IN CALIFORNIA? 1. California has the 5 th largest African American population of any state in the country. 2. African American continue to disproportionately suffer the pervasive affects of discrimination and the growing economic inequality. 3. The African American vote has historically been a key part of winning progressive policies because of the high levels of voter registration/participation and voting as a block on social and economic justice issues. 4. The Likely African American voters is aging and not being replaced by younger African American voters. SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau
THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROJECT Training and supporting 12 African American Groups in adding integrated voter engagement to their power building strategies. CONTEXT Increased awareness and activism around Police Violence & Mass Incarceration. Declining African American Vote. Political Power Building aspect of Movement-building. KEY CONSTITUENCIES 1. African American Young Adults 2. African American Formerly Incarcerated 3. African American Women 4. African American Immigrants African American Civic Engagement Project Groups