Voter awareness in the Inland Empire reveals notable disparities across candidate positions, with younger voters showing lower familiarity with state and local candidates. The gaps in knowledge may impact community representation and engagement.
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) — A recent survey conducted by California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) students has revealed significant gaps in local and state political knowledge among Inland Empire voters. While most participants displayed strong awareness of presidential candidates, the majority struggled to name or recognize candidates running for local and state offices, potentially impacting the representation and responsiveness of elected officials to community needs.
The survey, conducted over two weeks, polled 303 eligible voters from the Inland Empire, a region that includes San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Participants varied across age and gender, with 34 males and 56 females under the age of 35, as well as 87 males and 126 females above 35. The majority of respondents were over 50, a demographic often considered more politically active and informed. Nearly all respondents demonstrated a strong understanding of the presidential candidates, their platforms, and key policy stances. This high level of awareness is consistent with historical voter trends in the U.S., where presidential races receive extensive media coverage and public attention. However, this familiarity did not extend to other federal, state, and local positions.
When asked about their knowledge of federal legislative candidates, specifically U.S. Senators and House Representatives, 89% of participants admitted they did not know the names of their representatives. Despite this lack of familiarity, many reported that they still voted in these races, basing their choices primarily on political party affiliation rather than an informed understanding of the candidate’s qualifications, platforms, or voting records. At the state level, a striking 98% of survey participants indicated they had minimal knowledge of their candidates for State Assembly and State Senate. Most respondents acknowledged that they either Googled candidates the day before or on Election Day itself to make a last-minute decision. Only 2% of the survey participants, primarily between the ages of 30 and 50, had prior knowledge of the candidates, their manifestos, or key policies. This group also demonstrated a stronger interest in politics, suggesting that political engagement correlates with candidate awareness.
The survey also highlighted disparities in county-level awareness based on age. Approximately 73% of respondents under the age of 35 expressed little to no knowledge of candidates for roles such as County Assessor-Recorder, Board of Supervisors, and Superior Court Judge. Many in this age group reported leaving these sections of the ballot blank or relying on quick online searches to guide their votes. By contrast, 33% of respondents over the age of 40 displayed a stronger understanding of county-level candidates, with many noting that their choices were influenced by their preferred presidential candidate. This group tended to see local races through a national lens, tying their voting decisions to larger political ideologies rather than specific local issues.
While the Inland Empire faces pressing local issues, such as homelessness and crime, these were seldom cited as priorities by survey participants. Instead, many respondents focused on national issues, overlooking the impact of local officials on daily life. For example, San Bernardino has one of the highest rates of homelessness and crime in the region, yet few voters mentioned these issues when discussing their top concerns for candidates to address. This misalignment indicates a potential disconnect between voter priorities and the realities within their communities.
“Voters appear to be more engaged with national narratives, likely due to media influence, than with the issues immediately affecting their neighborhoods,” said Dr. Gregory Gondwe, a CSUSB professor who supervised the survey. “This disconnect can have long-term implications on local governance and resource allocation if voters are not advocating for policies that address the problems closest to home.”
One notable exception in the survey was among parents, particularly women over the age of 35, who demonstrated a strong understanding of school district and special district board member positions. Many in this group stated they were familiar with candidates’ policies on education and community services, often due to their roles as parents or active participants in school-related matters. These respondents expressed a clear interest in candidates who could address educational issues and allocate resources toward youth programs, school safety, and district improvements.
The survey findings suggest that Inland Empire residents may benefit from more targeted voter education initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of state and local candidates. Without a clear understanding of who represents them on a local level, voters may inadvertently contribute to a governance system that does not fully address regional issues. To combat this trend, experts recommend that local governments, community organizations, and educational institutions collaborate to provide non-partisan resources informing citizens about all government representation levels. Interactive platforms, community forums, and easy-to-navigate candidate information portals could help bridge the knowledge gap, encouraging voters to make informed decisions that reflect both local and national concerns. Additionally, advocates suggest that candidates running for state and local offices engage directly with voters through community outreach efforts. By focusing on key issues like homelessness, crime, and education, candidates can create more impactful connections with constituents who may otherwise overlook these races.
