California Statewide Poll Results--Voters Overwhelmingly Reject Electoral Power Grab Initiative

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Ben Tulchin
Vice President
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research

California voters overwhelmingly oppose the Republicans’ partisan effort to change how California distributes its electoral votes.

Question wording: "This initiative is titled the Presidential Electors. Political Party Nomination and Election by Congressional District. It reads as follows: This initiative requires California to join two other states in selecting electors for president by the plurality vote in each congressional district. It provides for political party nomination of electors pledged to vote for that party's candidate. Independent electors would be chosen by independent presidential candidates and also elected by congressional district. Two at-large electors would be selected based on plurality of statewide vote for president. It mandates that electors vote for the candidate for whom they are pledged. The initiative eliminates 10 dollar compensation and five cents per mile reimbursement of electors. The fiscal impact on state and local government concludes it would reduce state expenses of less than 10 thousand dollars every four years.

"Now, if an election were held today, would you vote yes, in favor of this initiative, or no, to oppose it?"

When voters are read the title and summary of the proposed initiative, a solid majority opposes the measure - 53 percent would vote NO if the election were held today and only one out of five voters (22%) support the initiative while a quarter of the electorate (25%) is currently undecided. This is one of the lowest levels of support we have ever seen in our polling for a statewide initiative in California.

Consistent Opposition Throughout the State

Here is how bad the Republican electoral power grab initiative is doing - it has managed to unite Californians throughout the state against the measure. In fact, every demographic group and region of the state rejects this measure.

Opposition is quite even throughout the state as majorities of every region of California are voting no on the electoral power grab initiative:

Los Angeles County - 24% yes to 52% no
Suburban Los Angeles - 21% yes to 57% no
San Francisco Bay Area - 20% yes to 51% no
San Diego - 18% yes to 52% no
Sacramento and North - 23% yes to 56% no
Central Valley - 24% yes to 52% no