UCI

Does Orange County still live up to its reputation for political conservatism, even in the midst of increasing racial and ethnic diversity? One in four residents describe their politics as very or somewhat liberal, three in 10 say they are middle-of-the-road, and four in 10 say they are very or somewhat conservative. Orange County residents are more likely than all Californians to call themselves conservatives (43% to 35%), according to the PPIC Statewide Survey.

Local Democrats are much more likely than Republicans to describe themselves as liberal (43% to 13%). Similarly, local Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say they are conservative (60% to 24%). Latinos are more likely than non-Hispanic whites to call themselves liberal (33% to 24%); non-Hispanic whites are more likely than Latinos to say they are moderate (34% to 23%), and about four in 10 in each group say they are conservative.