On May 4, the Pew Research Center released its fifth study of U.S. voters and their ideological views. Pew previously did such studies in 1987, 1994, 1999, and 2005. Using cluster analysis and survey research, the Center finds eight “core typology groups”, plus a ninth group of people who do not engage in political activity and do not form political opinions. The eight groups include two types of Republicans: Staunch Conservatives and Main Street Republicans. Also, there are three types of Democrats: New Coalition Democrats, Hard-Pressed Democrats, and Solid Liberals. Finally, the study identifies three groups of people who do not identify with either major party: Libertarians, Disaffecteds, and Post-Moderns.

The study says that the people who do not identify with either major party are not necessarily “moderates”; rather they include a large number of voters who hold extremely strong ideological positions. This discovery is not new, but it has been consistently overlooked by the business groups and newspapers who have supported top-two election systems. Thanks to Political Wire for the link.

On May 4, the Missouri House passed SB 282, an omnibus election law bill. Among other provisions, it deletes the typographical error in the existing law that requires a petition to qualify a new party to list that party’s presidential nominee (if that party intends to run anyone for President) and its candidates for presidential elector.

The bill must now return to the Senate, because the House has added some unrelated provisions. Thanks to Ken Bush for this news.

Paul Jacob, head of Citizens in Charge, which works to protect and expand the initiative process, has this column in Fox and Hounds. The column pokes fun at the California bills to force everyone who circulates an initiative, referendum or recall petition to wear large badges on their chests. Thanks to Tom Jones for the link.