The Big No: After having focused on the contents of the propositions on the ballot for next Tuesday’s special election over the past two weeks or so, California voters have decided to reject them all. The four that have been heavily promoted by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger are all trailing significantly. Now, three related to health issues and one related to energy regulation are also failing, according to the latest Field Poll:
Tuesday’s results show that proposals to limit abortion rights and provide discount drugs for low-income Californians are fading.
Monday’s results showed the same for a slate of proposals backed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and one that would re-regulate California’s electricity market.
Fifteen years ago, California voters were faced with a similar slew of ballot initiatives and voted against most of them in what came to be called “The Big No.” Poll results from both the Field Research Corp. and the Public Policy Institute of California suggest that next week could be a repeat.
Specifically, here’s how the iniatiives appear to be viewed by voters:
- Proposition 73: “[Faring] the best of the bunch, and it is trailing 41 percent to 49 percent after leading all year long. Proposition 73 would require a doctor to tell a minor’s parents that their daughter wants an abortion two days before performing the operation.”
- Propositions 78 and 79: “A pair of dueling measures to give low-income Californians discount drug cards … appear to be tanking. Only one likely voter in three supports either measure, although about one in five voters remain undecided. Proposition 78 is backed by the drug industry, which has spent $80 million on the campaign thus far. When voters know this, they’re far more likely to vote “no” on Proposition 78, according to the poll. Voters told that Proposition 79 is backed by consumer groups such as the AARP are slightly more likely to vote for it but not by much.”
- Proposition 80: “The final initiative on the ballot, Proposition 80, lags far behind. Proposition 80 would restore several restrictions on the state’s electricity industry removed before the energy crisis, but it is opposed by the Public Utilities Commission, the agency charged with regulating the industry.With no money for advertising and little attention, only one likely voter in four supports Proposition 80. An equal number remain undecided.”
