Commentary: TikTok? Crazy neighbor? A new poll sheds light on where voters get their information

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One more day and it’ll all be over.I’m referring to the primary election, of course, and the unremitting campaign ads that have infiltrated every aspect of our being as Californians.Authentic or paid influencers promoting candidates on TikTok and Instagram.

Facebook ads vilifying or praising various measures.Incessant, repetitive TV campaigns that get nastier with every election, yet still manage to feel like an analogue remnant from 1982.

The worst? Those sponsored leaflets and postcard mailers that end up as makeshift coasters, mosquito swatters or unread refuse that goes straight from the mailbox into the blue recycle bin.The king of ad spending is Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer.He’s behind the most expensive political advertising campaign in the country this year.

A former hedge fund manager, Steyer has reportedly spent more than $200 million on his campaign, with a major chunk of that for broadcast TV, cable and radio — 20 times the amount spent by fellow Democrat, former U.S.Secretary of Health and Human Services and California Atty.

Gen.Xavier Becerra.

And Steyer is still polling behind Becerra.I never thought I’d write this but it’s not always about the money.Voters have more resources than ever should they choose to actually research and learn about who and what is poised to shape the future of their city, county and state.

There’s no shortage of broadcast, cable, digital and print reporting about former reality TV personality turned mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt.He uses AI! The battle between incumbent Karen Bass and her closest Democratic competition, Los Angeles city council member Nithya Raman, dominates local newscasts.

And there’s pundits from both sides arguing for and against these choices on every available platform.Given the amount of information now at voter’s fingertips, we should be the most informed voting populace i...