California Election 2005: Latest Field Poll

The Latest California Field Poll has been released:

Public Employee Union Dues, Required Employee Consent for Political Contributions (Paycheck Protection)

It prohibits public employee labor organizations from using dues or fees from its members for political contributions unless the employee provides prior written consent.

57% majority of both registered voters and likely voters are inclined to vote Yes on the initiative, if the election on this proposal were heldtoday. This compares to 32% of registered voters and 34% of likely voters who are inclined to vote No.

Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy, Waiting Period and Parental Notification initiative.

It would require parental notification before abortion for a minor under age 18, except in cases of a medical emergency or with a parental orjudicial waiver.

Voters are narrowly supportive on this issue – 48% in favor and 42% opposed among all voters, and 48% Yes and 43% No among likely voters.

Prescription Drugs; Discounts initiative

It would establish a discountdrug program overseen by the Department of Health Services and enable certain low and moderateincome residents to purchase prescription drugs at reduced prices. It also imposes an annual 15dollar application fee and authorizes the Department to contract with pharmacies to sellprescription drugs at agreed-upon discounts and negotiate rebates with drug manufacturers. The initiative is sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry.

The poll finds it leading in the early going, with registered voters supporting it by a 60% to 23%
margin, while likely voters favor it 57% to 26%.

Prescription Drug Discounts: State Negotiated Rebates initiative

It would provide prescription drug discounts to low income Californians funded through rebates
from participating drug manufacturers negotiated by the California Department of Health Services.
The initiative is sponsored by Health Access.

The poll finds it also leading by a somewhat smaller margin – 54% to 28% among all registered
voters and 48% to 33% among all likely voters.

Virtually all of the voter subgroups examined favor each of the two prescription drug discount
proposals.

Again, these are early polls, but, finally some encouraging news for the Governor.

The Public Employees will be turning up the heat and watch for even more demonstrations.

Cross-Posted to The Bear Flag League Special Election Page

Update #1

Dan Weintraub has a correct analysis of the new polls: A sudden comity in heated Sacramento battles

This supports Flap’s contention that the Governor has already won.