Survey indicates California's Prop 36 crime measure likely to succeed with substantial lead
This measure garnered the most support among the 10 issue questions featured on the statewide ballot this fall.
TroibNews 
According to a new poll released on Wednesday, nearly three-quarters of California voters intend to support a significant ballot measure aimed at increasing penalties for certain theft- and drug-related crimes.
The survey conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California revealed that 73 percent of likely voters would back Proposition 36, while only 25 percent expressed opposition. This marks a slight uptick from PPIC's September poll, where 71 percent of likely voters indicated support for the measure.
Proposition 36 garnered the highest level of support compared to the other nine statewide issues on the ballot this fall. Additionally, it was the measure that piqued the most interest among voters, with 28 percent identifying it as their primary concern.
As the election approaches in November, crime has emerged as a prominent campaign topic, in part due to Proposition 36 being on the ballot. The measure's backing is driven by ongoing voter apprehension stemming from an increase in certain crimes during the pandemic; however, it has encountered pushback from notable Democrats, including Governor Gavin Newsom, who caution against reverting to tough-on-crime strategies.
Other measures showing strong support in the PPIC poll include Proposition 3, which aims to remove outdated language from the state constitution prohibiting same-sex marriage. Sixty-seven percent of likely voters indicated they would support this proposition, while 32 percent opposed it.
Proposition 35, which seeks to make a tax on specific health care plans permanent and allocate its revenue to Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid system, also enjoyed support exceeding 60 percent in the poll.
Among the two $10 billion bond measures on the ballot this fall, Proposition 4, designed to finance climate and water-related initiatives, received the most backing. Sixty percent of likely voters are in favor, while 38 percent oppose it. In contrast, Proposition 2, which aims to fund school construction, has a narrower lead, with 52 percent of likely voters saying “yes” and 46 percent indicating “no.”
The remaining five measures on November’s ballot—covering topics such as rent control, increasing the minimum wage, and banning forced prison labor—are all currently under the necessary 50 percent threshold for passage, based on PPIC's polling.
Proposition 33, which would enable local governments to implement rent control, currently has support at 42 percent among likely voters amid a costly campaign between the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in favor and the California Apartment Association in opposition. Meanwhile, 54 percent of respondents would vote against Proposition 33.
The ballot measure with the least support in the PPIC poll is Proposition 6, which seeks to prohibit forced prison labor in California’s state constitution. Only 41 percent indicated they would vote “yes,” while 56 percent said they would opt for “no.”
In the presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris maintains a substantial lead over former President Donald Trump, with 59 percent of likely California voters planning to support Harris compared to 33 percent for Trump.
In the race for the U.S. Senate, Democratic Representative Adam Schiff holds a significant advantage over Republican candidate and baseball star Steve Garvey, leading 63 percent to 37 percent.
The PPIC poll was conducted with a sample of 1,137 likely voters from October 7 to 15 and carries a margin of error of +/- 3.7 percentage points.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
The survey conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California revealed that 73 percent of likely voters would back Proposition 36, while only 25 percent expressed opposition. This marks a slight uptick from PPIC's September poll, where 71 percent of likely voters indicated support for the measure.
Proposition 36 garnered the highest level of support compared to the other nine statewide issues on the ballot this fall. Additionally, it was the measure that piqued the most interest among voters, with 28 percent identifying it as their primary concern.
As the election approaches in November, crime has emerged as a prominent campaign topic, in part due to Proposition 36 being on the ballot. The measure's backing is driven by ongoing voter apprehension stemming from an increase in certain crimes during the pandemic; however, it has encountered pushback from notable Democrats, including Governor Gavin Newsom, who caution against reverting to tough-on-crime strategies.
Other measures showing strong support in the PPIC poll include Proposition 3, which aims to remove outdated language from the state constitution prohibiting same-sex marriage. Sixty-seven percent of likely voters indicated they would support this proposition, while 32 percent opposed it.
Proposition 35, which seeks to make a tax on specific health care plans permanent and allocate its revenue to Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid system, also enjoyed support exceeding 60 percent in the poll.
Among the two $10 billion bond measures on the ballot this fall, Proposition 4, designed to finance climate and water-related initiatives, received the most backing. Sixty percent of likely voters are in favor, while 38 percent oppose it. In contrast, Proposition 2, which aims to fund school construction, has a narrower lead, with 52 percent of likely voters saying “yes” and 46 percent indicating “no.”
The remaining five measures on November’s ballot—covering topics such as rent control, increasing the minimum wage, and banning forced prison labor—are all currently under the necessary 50 percent threshold for passage, based on PPIC's polling.
Proposition 33, which would enable local governments to implement rent control, currently has support at 42 percent among likely voters amid a costly campaign between the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in favor and the California Apartment Association in opposition. Meanwhile, 54 percent of respondents would vote against Proposition 33.
The ballot measure with the least support in the PPIC poll is Proposition 6, which seeks to prohibit forced prison labor in California’s state constitution. Only 41 percent indicated they would vote “yes,” while 56 percent said they would opt for “no.”
In the presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris maintains a substantial lead over former President Donald Trump, with 59 percent of likely California voters planning to support Harris compared to 33 percent for Trump.
In the race for the U.S. Senate, Democratic Representative Adam Schiff holds a significant advantage over Republican candidate and baseball star Steve Garvey, leading 63 percent to 37 percent.
The PPIC poll was conducted with a sample of 1,137 likely voters from October 7 to 15 and carries a margin of error of +/- 3.7 percentage points.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
