PPIC Poll Finds California Voters Evenly Divided on Prop 93—Term Limits Reform—42 to 42%

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Frank D. Russo

The Public Policy Institute of California has released a poll taken between January 13 and 20 that shows voters evenly divided on Proposition 93, the term limits change measure. PPIC found support at 42%, opposition at 42% and 16% of likely voters undecided.

The survey contains 1,099 likely voters and has a margin of error of 3%. Its findings mirror that of a California Field Poll released yesterday that showed the measure tied at 39% in favor and opposed.

Once again, the trend line is not favorable on Prop 93. Support has dropped from a high of 55% in September to 42%. But opposition has been in a narrow range between 38% and 42% in surveys going back to May of last year.

A partisan divide is showing up on this ballot proposition with Democrats in support by 47% to 36%, Republicans opposed by 45% to 39%, and independents about evenly divided—44% yes and 43% no—within the margin of error of the poll.

56% of California voters say the current term limits in effect are the “right amount.” Amongst those who disagree, there is a slight edge for those who say the status quo gives “too little” time (21%) and those who say that it gives “too much” (17%).

Voters like two out of three provisions of Prop 93. By a margin of 65% to 25%, they like the idea of reducing the total amount of time a person may serve in the state legislature from 14 years to 12. This includes Democrats, Republicans and independents by wide margins.

By a margin of 57% to 34%, voters like the idea of allowing a person to serve a total of 12 years either in the Assembly, Senate, or a combination of both. Once again, this is amongst all groups.