California and the Nation Vote: A Post-Mortem on the 2026 Midterm Election

Join us at the Institute of Governmental Studies Library on Thursday, November 12th at 4:00pm for "California and the Nation Vote: A Post-Mortem on the 2026 Election." Nine days after Election Day, two moderated panels will examine the results through this year's theme: maps, money, and the movements reshaping the parties.

The first panel turns to California: the outcome of the governor's race and what to expect from a new administration and legislature, the fate of the billionaire tax and other statewide ballot measures, the Los Angeles mayor's race, and the state's key congressional contests.

The second panel will focus on the national picture: whether mid-decade redistricting changed the outcome, who controls the House and Senate, how President Trump shaped the results, the strength of the movements pulling at both parties, who turned out to vote, and what it all signals for 2028.

The event will be followed by a light reception.

About the Moderator:

Eric Schickler is the Jeffrey & Ashley McDermott Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley. He is the author of three books which have won the Richard F. Fenno, Jr. Prize for the best book on legislative politics: Disjointed Pluralism: Institutional Innovation and the Development of the U.S. Congress (2001), Filibuster: Obstruction and Lawmaking in the United States Senate (2006, with Gregory Wawro), and Investigating the President: Congressional Checks on Presidential Power (2016, with Douglas Kriner; also winner of the Richard E. Neustadt Prize for the best book on executive politics). His book, Racial Realignment: The Transformation of American Liberalism, 1932-1965, was the winner of the Woodrow Wilson Prize for the best book on government, politics or international affairs published in 2016, and is co-winner of the J. David Greenstone Prize for the best book in history and politics from the previous two calendar years. He is also the co-author of Partisan Hearts and Minds, which was published in 2002. He has authored or co-authored articles in the American Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science, Legislative Studies Quarterly, Comparative Political Studies, Polity, Public Opinion Quarterly, and Social Science History. His research and teaching interests are in the areas of American politics, the U.S. Congress, rational choice theory, American political development, and public opinion.

Accessibility:

This is an accessible event. If you are a disabled person and need reasonable accommodations to participate they will be provided. For more information, and to make a request, please contact Ezra Bristow at ezrabristow@berkeley.edu

Panel 1 - California Votes:

• Paul Mitchell, Vice President, Political Data, Inc.

• Paul Pierson, Professor of Political Science & Berkeley Economy and Society Initiative (BESI) Director, UC Berkeley

• Marisa Lagos, California Politics and Government Correspondent & Political Breakdown Host, KQED

Moderator:

• G. Cristina Mora, Professor of Sociology & Institute of Governmental Studies Co-Director, UC Berkeley

Panel 2 - The Nation Votes:

• Lisa Garcia Bedolla, Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate Division & Professor of Education, UC Berkeley

• Jake Grumbach, Goldman School of Public Policy Associate Professor, UC Berkeley

• Maya Miller, Politics Reporter, CalMatters

Moderator:

• Eric Schickler, Professor of Political Science & Institute of Governmental Studies Co-Director, UC Berkeley

This event is sponsored by the Institute of Governmental Studies.

Parking Information:

PLEASE NOTE: The area around Philosophy Hall is undergoing major construction through January 2029 as part of UC Berkeley’s Electrified Heating and Cooling Projects.

IGS has a Google Maps Interactive Parking Map that you can access here.

Here is a list of parking lots within a 10-minute walk of Philosophy Hall:

• Sproul Lot (C Parking Permits only) - .01 miles (3 minutes’ walk)
• Bancroft Parking Structure(Public, C, F Permits) - 0.3 miles (6 minutes' walk)
• Lower Sproul Parking Garage (Public, C, F Permits) - 0.3 miles (8 minutes’ walk)
• Recreational Sports Facility (RSF) Parking Garage (Public, C, F Permits) - 0.4 miles (10 minutes’ walk)

To read our full advisory, along with a list of recommendations for transportation to campus, please click this link to to visit our website: https://igs.berkeley.edu/news/igs-events-notice-2026-2027-building-access-advisory