by the Governor, but are subject to retention by the electorate every 12 years. Politics Main article: Politics of California Presidential elections results Year Republican Democratic 2008 36.91% 5,011,781 60.94% 8,274,473 2004 44.36% 5,509,826 54.40% 6,745,485 2000 41.65% 4,567,429 53.45% 5,861,203 1996 38.21% 3,828,380 51.10% 5,119,835 1992 32.61% 3,630,574 46.01% 5,121,325