PPIC Poll: Democrats Favored in California, but Proposition 10 Falters

The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC)’s latest Statewide Survey, released on Wednesday, found likely voters favoring Democrats in California in 2018 elections due to their “progressive” policies.

PPIC found that with 48 percent of likely voters expecting both California and the nation to enjoy good economic times over the next 12 months, key poll findings include:

• Democrat favorability fell from 50 percent in 2016 to 41 percent; while the Republican favorability rose from 26 percent in 2016 to 31 percent;
• Democrat Governor Jerry Brown’s job performance approval is at 48 percent, and the Democrat-controlled state legislature’s job approval is at 45 percent;
• President Trump’s job performance is favored by just 29 percent, and the Republican-controlled Congress’ performance is favored by only 25 percent;
• The Democratic Party is viewed favorably by 46 percent, versus 29 percent with a favorable view of the Republican Party (55 percent say a third party is needed);
• Democrat Lt. Gov Gavin Newsom leads the governor’s race with 49 percent support to Republican John Cox’s 38 percent support;
• Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein leads the U.S. Senate race with 43 percent support, versus 27 percent support for fellow Democrat Kevin de León; and
• Democratic candidates for U.S. House seats are viewed favorably by 55 percent, versus 37 percent for Republican candidates.

In contrast to the high favorability California’s likely voters feel for state and local policies, PPIC found deep dissatisfaction with national policies, with just 36 percent saying the U.S. is headed in the right direction. Key policy findings for California’s likely voters include:

• 44 percent would rather have a bigger government providing more services, versus 39 percent preferring fewer services;
• 58 percent favor state and local governments making their own policies and taking actions to protect the legal rights of undocumented immigrants, versus 36 percent that favor federal enforcement of undocumented worker rights;
• 64 percent think gun control laws should be stricter, versus 13 percent that think they should be less strict;
• 65 percent think it is the responsibility of the federal government to make sure all Americans have healthcare coverage, versus 31 percent that do not;
• 59 percent favor the Affordable Care Act, versus 33 percent that have an unfavorable view (only 34 percent want a single payer plan, versus 26 percent that want a combination of government and private insurance); and
• 59 percent disapprove of the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh as Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, versus 31 percent that approve.

PPIC findings for California likely voters regarding the two most important initiatives on the November 6 ballot include:

• Proposition 6 (gas tax hike repeal) is supported by just 41 percent, versus 48 percent opposed. But the high enthusiasm factor for the importance of voting on the initiative is 57 percent for supporters, and 43 percent for opponents.
• Proposition 10 (rent control expansion) is supported by 25 percent of voters, versus opposed by 60 percent of likely voters. Support for Prop 10 has fallen since the September PPIC poll by 11 percent, while opposition has jumped by 12 percent.