Dan Walters' Capitol Q&A

Question: Do you believe voters will support the February partial primary? What size turnout do you expect for the super February 2008 presidential primary? Do you see a voter reaction to Christmas campaigning? Will it help or hinder the June primary? Do you believe voters will change term limits in January?
-- Tom Martin, Riverside

Answer: It's difficult to gauge turnout because it will depend on the presidential dynamics of that moment. If there are still serious contests in one or both parties, the turnout could be fairly high. But if not it could be abysmally low - and and that will impact whatever ballot measures are also being placed before voters. If one is term limit extension, I think it would pass only if the governor is aboard and he says he won't support it unless resdistricting reform is also placed before voters. Whatever happens in February, it will depress turnout for the June primary because it will not have a presidential, senatorial or gubernatorial primary to attarct voters.
--Dan Walters