On October 23, Public Policy Institute of California released a poll for many California races. See the poll here. Scroll down to page seven for the gubernatorial results. Only two candidates are on the ballot, incumbent Democrat Jerry Brown and Republican Neel Kashkari. The results: Brown 52%; Kashkari 36%; will not vote for Governor 4%; undecided 8%.

The pollster did not suggest any option to respondents about not voting; the 4% who said they would leave the ballot blank volunteered that information. California is the only state this year in which voters must either vote for a Democrat or a Republican for the top office on the ballot, or they can’t vote at all. California is one of only six states with only two candidates on the ballot for the top office. Of those six, California is the only one that doesn’t permit write-ins in the general election for partisan office.

According to this story, Sarah Palin recently endorsed Bill Walker for Governor of Alaska. Walker is the independent candidate.

In its March 2015 municipal election, Burlington, Vermont voters will vote on an advisory measure on whether resident non-citizens should be allowed to vote in local and school elections. See this story. Even if the measure passes, policy will not change. To allow the idea would require changing the Vermont State Constitution. Thanks to Electionline for the link.