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Description

Sure, there's plenty of movers and shakers in California's political scene. But who are the Groundbreakers aiming to break the mold, move the needle, and establish a better connection between elections, the campaigning process and social change?

We're starting a series of events called "Policy and a Pint" -- moderated panels and Q&As revolving around policy and politics on a local, regional and statewide level. In short: what's coming out of the Capitol, and how it's going to affect you as a voter, a taxpayer and a California resident. We're going to hold these events at breweries and other venues where a good pint of beer can be served (and eventually, good glasses of wine and good cocktails, both shaken and stirred).

To kick off our first Policy and a Pint event, we're having a talk with some California Groundbreakers in the political field. They're spearheading programs, both in California and nationwide, aimed at changing the way elections work, and how politicians structure their campaigns, how voters get approached and marketed to, and ultimately, how decisions will be made at the voting booth.

PANELISTS
* Caitlin Maple, research analyst for California Forward, who' s leading that organization's new political reform project, the 50 State Solution (http://cafwd.org/50state/entry/california-forward-launches-50-state-solution-political-reform-project)

* Paul Mitchell, owner of Redistricting Partners, which helps local governments navigate the quagmire of redistricting, and also vice-president of Political Data, Inc., a major provider of voter information to political campaigns, consultants and pollsters (www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-ed/article2601216.html)

* James Schwab, chief of legislative affairs for California's Secretary of State Alex Padilla, who talks about the brand-new program his office just created to partner with colleges to get students more involved in the political process and turn out at the polls.

PODCAST TIMEFRAME
* 0 to 6 minutes - About California Groundbreakers
* 6: 15 min - Introduction of the panelists
* 11:30 min - What is the 50 State Solution?
* 15 min - The CA's Secretary of State new efforts to get younger voters revved up, and to streamline voter registration
* 22:30 min - Paul's no-filter thoughts on this year's election that he put down on paper as columns for Capitol Weekly
* 30:30 min - Is polling still relevant?
* 35 min - How social media fits into the campaigning and election processes
* 46 min - How is that open-primary system working out for us so far?
* 59:30 min - The Red State/Blue State mix in California now
* 1 hr, 5:30 min - Is vote-splitting in an issue in this election?
* 1 hr, 10:30 min - How to reduce misinformation to voters
* 1 hr, 16:45 min - Predictions for how Gavin Newsom, Tom Steyer et al will do in 2018
* 1 hr, 23 min - How will "voter fatigue" affect people's decisions on the 17 ballot propositions? (and Google "Damien Carroll haikus ballot measures")
* 1 hr, 32 min - Will Republicans ever have a chance to win again in California?