Bernie Sanders takes wide lead in California primary, new poll finds

[left-of-center2012]

Bernie Sanders has opened a wide lead in California’s Democratic presidential primary, and four rivals are virtually tied for a distant second place, according to a poll released Tuesday.

The survey by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California found Sanders favored by 32% of likely voters in the March 3 primary, followed by former Vice President Joe Biden, 14%, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, 13%, and two former mayors, Michael R. Bloomberg of New York and Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind., both at 12%.

The findings were particularly grim for Biden and Warren; each dropped by 10 percentage points from their standings in the institute’s poll in January. Sanders has been especially successful at consolidating support among Latinos and voters under 45 years old; a majority of both groups favored the Vermont senator, the poll found.

California is the biggest of 14 states holding primaries on Super Tuesday. At stake in California are 415 delegates to the Democratic National Convention this summer in Milwaukee. It takes 1,991 delegates to win the party’s presidential nomination.

https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-02-18/california-poll-democratic-presidential-primary-ppic

[David__77]

1. I think he will do well in California. I wonder how many here have already voted.

It's notable that early voting smooths out sharp twists and turns.

[musette_sf]

2. I have to drop off my ballot next week

since I will be traveling on Super Tuesday.

One thing is for certain: I will be voting for a Democrat.

[jmg257]

3. Bernie likely to get a big haul. HERE is how delegates are awarded..

That’s simple stuff compared with how the delegates must be won. Among all states, California has the Mother Lode of Democratic delegates — 495. The California delegation to the 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee July 13-16 will be comprised of 416 pledged delegates, 35 alternates and 79 unpledged delegates.

How they will be distributed is pretty much the opposite of winner-take-all.

About 35 percent of the delegates are determined by the statewide vote, on proportional basis. But no statewide delegates will be awarded to candidates who gain less than 15 percent of the vote.

A larger number of delegates will be determined by the vote in each of California’s 53 congressional districts, divided proportionally. Again, candidates who fail to meet the 15 percent threshold within a district get no delegates from that district.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Biden will be close second in California

24-19-16

[still_one]

5. Good job Biden, Pete, Amy, and Bloomberg taking votes away from each other

[ripcord]

6. Bernie is huge on college campuses here

The democratic party has put a lot of effort into registering young people and it could pay off big for Bernie.