Project Vote Smart released the 2007 California Special Election National Political Awareness Test (NPAT) results today showing that 50 percent of the state's state legislative primary candidates were willing to answer questions on the issues that are of top concern to California voters, such as health policy, budget and taxes, education, crime and punishment, and environmental concerns.

The National Political Awareness Test asks all candidates one central question: "Are you willing to tell citizens your positions on the issues you will most likely face on their behalf?" It is conducted nationally over the last 12 months of each election season. Mississippi legislative candidates were contacted repeatedly over five weeks and asked by prominent leaders of both major parties and by Project staff, if they were willing to provide their issue inclinations in the public interest.

Since 2000, Project Vote Smart has found that party leaders and consultants are advising candidates not to respond to the NPAT for two primary reasons: it will limit the candidates' ability to control their campaign messages, and it will expose them to opposition research.

The results of the California Special Election NPAT can be found at: California Special Election NPAT Results