USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy Website

Reducing Legislative Polarization

Read the preprint of Christian Grose's latest research paper titled "Reducing Legislative Polarization: Top-Two and Open Primaries Are Associated with More Moderate Legislators."

Top Political Reform Experts Guest Lecture at the Schwarzenegger Institute

This October, the USC Schwarzenegger Institute has been a bipartisan host to several of the nation’s leading experts on election and political reforms.

Watch Schwarzenegger’s Atlantic Festival Interview on Gerrymandering

In late September Governor Schwarzenegger brought his campaign to terminate gerrymandering to the Atlantic Festival in Washington DC.

Schwarzenegger Tackles Clean Air and Minority Rule in the Washington Post

Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had back to back opinion pieces published in the Washington Post earlier this month.

Professor Schwarzenegger Returns to Campus to Lecture on Gerrymandering and Political Reform

Earlier this month, Professor Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke to a packed classroom of students taking the Schwarzenegger Institute’s ‘Fixing American Democracy and Misrepresentation’ class.

Father and Daughter Filmmakers Bring Gerrymandering Documentary to the Schwarzenegger Institute

Father and daughter filmmakers Bob and Rachel Millman visited the Schwarzenegger Institute on September 13th to screen their new documentary Line in the Street.

Statement on the U.S. Supreme Court Decision in Rucho v. Common Cause and Lamone v. Benisek

Global Director of the Schwarzenegger Institute Conyers Davis released a statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision in Rucho v. Common Cause and Lamone v. Benisek.

Schwarzenegger & Holder Support Redistricting Reform in the Granite State

Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and former Attorney General Eric Holder continue to prove that redistricting reform does not need to be a partisan issue.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Took his Mission to Terminate Gerrymandering to DC

On Tuesday, March 26 the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in two cases, Rucho v. Common Cause and Lamone v. Benishek.

Gov. Schwarzenegger and Senator Fran Pavley Discuss Putting a Price on Pollution

The USC Schwarzenegger Institute and the USC Center for Sustainability Solutions co-hosted with the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator the leadership council discussion on federal carbon pricing policy.

California’s Top-two Primary: A Successful Reform

Charles T. Munger, Jr assesses the changes wrought by the advent in 2012 of the top-two primary in three papers.

Gov. Schwarzenegger Hosts Terminate Gerrymandering Summit and Fair Maps Incubator Launch

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy convened the Terminate Gerrymandering Summit on Jan. 10 at USC.

Inaugural Bonnie Reiss Memorial Lecture Looks at Bridging the Political Divide

“I said I’d only do it if she became the global director,” said Schwarzenegger on Oct. 24 at the inaugural Bonnie Reiss Memorial Lecture, honoring Reiss, who passed away in April.

Schwarzenegger Institute Academic Director Christian Grose Analyzes Redistricting Reform Initiatives

USC Schwarzenegger Institute Academic Director and Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, Christian Grose, wrote a rapid assessment of the redistricting reform initiatives.

Schwarzenegger Institute Hosts Conversation with Charles Clarke

On October 2nd, the Schwarzenegger Institute hosted former British Home Secretary and Member of Parliament Charles Clarke, USC Price School Dean Jack Knott, and senior members of the Consular Corps in

Schwarzenegger Takes Break from Filming to Terminate Gerrymandering

Governor Schwarzenegger took a break from filming Terminator 6 to support comprehensive redistricting reform and advocate for citizens redistricting commissions.

Schwarzenegger and Kasich Toast Ohio’s Effort to Pass Redistricting Reform

Schwarzenegger and Ohio Governor John Kasich joined legislative leaders to celebrate the passage of a bipartisan proposal to change how Ohio draws congressional district lines.

Governor Schwarzenegger Files Amicus Brief in Maryland Redistricting Case

Gov. Schwarzenegger continued his crusade to end gerrymandering by filing an Amicus Brief with the the Supreme Court challenging partisan redistricting in the State of Maryland.

Open Primary Research Roundtable

Schwarzenegger Institute delegation, led by USC Professor Christian Grose, traveled to Arizona State University to participate in the Open Primaries National Forum and Research Roundtable.

Partnership with Oberlin College on the Future of Our Democracy Kicks Off in Ohio

The conference was a non-partisan, rigorous series of discussions that examined our present situation and considered how how to rebuild the resilience, fairness,and durability of our democracy

Schwarzenegger Calls on the Supreme Court to Say “Hasta La Vista” to Gerrymandering

Speaking on the steps of the Supreme Court Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger continued his campaign to end the partisan drawing of legislative and congressional districts.

Institute Partners with ASU and Independentvoting.org to Release Report on Independent Voters

The Schwarzenegger Institute teamed up and released a new briefing on the independent voter phenomenon and the impact that it is having on the American political landscape.

Global Director Bonnie Reiss Honored by the Independence Clubs of New York

Bonnie Reiss, Global Director of the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, was honored by the Independence Clubs of New York City at the 17th Annual Anti-Corruption Awards Ceremony for her lifelong leadership

Governor Schwarzenegger Urges the U.S. Supreme Court to End Gerrymandering

Earlier this week, Gov.Schwarzenegger joined a number of prominent Republicans in filing amicus briefs, explaining to the Court why they support common-sense redistricting reform.

California’s End to Gerrymandering Celebrated in Our Nation’s Capitol

The CA Citizens Redistricting Commission extended the special invitation to Gov. Schwarzenegger to in honor of his longstanding support for nonpartisan redistricting in both CA and throughout the U.S

The Legal Effort to End Partisan Gerrymandering Heats Up

The Institute is working with a coalition of good government groups on ending partisan gerrymandering through both ballot initiatives and the legal process.

USC Price, Annenberg Conversation Explores “America Divided”, Moderated by Bonnie Reiss

The USC Schools of Public Policy and Journalism partnered to screen the five-episode docuseries America Divided followed by a conversation with Norman Lear, policy makers, academics and producers.

Fed Up With Gerrymandering: Action on Redistricting

Gov. Schwarzenegger is fed up with redistricting and is devoted to fixing the problem. The Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy set up this page so that you can be active in the fight

Schwarzenegger and David Cameron Reunite at USC

David Cameron, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, spoke to the USC community at President Nikias’ Distinguished Lecture Series and following the event met with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Institute Hosts David Daley, Author of Ratf**ked

David Daley, best-selling author joined Gov. Schwarzenegger and more to talk about his new book Ratf**ked: The True Story Behind the Secret Plan to Steal America's Democracy

Institute Examines California’s Historic U.S. Senate Race and the Impact of the Top-Two Primaries

Institute hosts forum at USC that examined both data and politics behind the recent U.S. Senate race that included a conversation with David Siders. Sean Clegg and Bill Carrick

Institute Partners with ASU; Looks at Political Reform and Empowering the Independent Voter

The Schwarzenegger Institute is proud to partner with the Morrison Institute of Public Policy at Arizona State University on political reform issues that make our system more accountable to the voters

Conyers Davis Keynotes USC’s Town and Gown Pre-Election Luncheon

The women of Town and Gown invited the Institute’s Director of Strategic Initiatives, Conyers Davis, to speak at their pre-election lucheon event

Collaboration with Arizona State University on Climate, Energy and Political Reform

SI team visits ASU President Michael Crow to explore collaborations on policy areas of mutual interest, including climate change, energy, political reform and on-line education.

Schwarzenegger Institute Participated in the Clinton Global Institute Annual Meeting

Institute Director Bonnie Reiss participated in the 12th and final year of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting with leaders from around the world.

USC Schwarzenegger Institute Releases Two Research Reports on Political Polarization

Institute releases two research reports showing that political reforms like those passed by voters in CA can reduce political polarization and prompt candidates to engage voters across party lines

Election Day Forum at USC

Global Director Bonnie Reiss was the keynote speaker for the Town and Gown “Election Day Special” luncheon

UC Berkeley Event - California’s Top Two Primary: Will It Make a Difference?

Christian Grose presented findings on the role of California’s top-two primary in moderation by state legislators at UC Berkeley Event

Schwarzenegger Institute Convenes Symposium on Political Gridlock

When asked what young people can do to fix their government in the face of crippling gridlock, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger urged the crowd to look no further than the work of USC’s own students.

New Study Shows California Legislature Less Polarized Following Reforms

The USC Schwarzenegger Institute Report uses empirical data to show the impact of Open Primary and Redistricting in CA-two reforms of which the hope was they would create less political gridlock

WATCH: Panel Discussion at Government and Leadership—People Over Politics Symposium

Watch:The Political Reform Movement in America panel that took place at the Government and Leadership--People Over Politics Symposium

The Institute hosts Chris Matthews Discussion about D.C. Politics

The USC Schwarzenegger Institute hosted a conversation between Governor and USC Downey Professor Arnold Schwarzenegger and political commentator and host of MSNBC’s Hardball, Chris Matthews.

Policy in Action: Schwarzenegger Institute in the Capitol

On October 30th the USC Schwarzenegger Institute held a series of meetings in Washington D.C. with our nation's leaders to advocate continued support of comprehensive after-school programs.

Students Talk Back - Author of Days of Fire on Bush and Cheney

On Wednesday November 6th the Schwarzenegger Institute, in partnership with the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics, co-hosted the 10th Students Talk Back lunch panel discussion.

California Takes the Partisanship out of Politics

A lot can change in ten years. This time a decade ago, California had just emerged from a recall election less than a year into then-Governor Grey...

Students Talk Back - California Legislators address Partisanship

On Wednesday September 11th the Schwarzenegger Institute, in partnership with the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics, co-hosted the first Students Talk Back lunch of...

President Vicente Fox Urges the U.S. to Embrace Immigration Reform

Former President of Mexico Vicente Fox discusses immigration reform with Gabriela Teissier, Univision.

Institute Hosts US Senators on Immigration Reform Bill

Senators McCain & Bennet discussing the immigration reform bill with Ann Compton, ABC News.

Washington Comes to USC: Immigration Reform Forum

U.S. Senators, President Vicente Fox, Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, Gov Schwarzenegger, Ann Compton - ABC News, and others gather at USC to discuss Immigration Reform ...

Luncheon with Senator Evan Bayh

Schwarzenegger Institute Board of Advisor Former Indiana Senator Evan Bayh joined the Institute on October 19, 2012 for a luncheon at the Widney Alumni House. Senator Bayh...

Schwarzenegger Institute Inaugural Symposium

The Institutes inaugural symposium event drew nearly 1,000 attendees and more than a dozen national and international news media outlets featuring thought leaders from the realms...