California Special Election Watch: Latest Public Policy Institute of California Poll

The ASSociated Press has Poll: Gov. Schwarzenegger’s Measures Lag.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “year of reform” initiatives are proving a tough sell to California voters despite a multimillion dollar advertising blitz, according to a poll released Thursday. None of his measures on the Nov. 8 ballot has majority support, and two are opposed by wide margins.

Telephone interviews were conducted with 1,079 likely voters over seven days ending Oct. 23. There was a sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Governor Schwarzenegger’s Job Approval Rating:

Approve 38%

Disapprove 57%

Proposition 74 extends the probationary period for new teachers from 2 years to 5 years, and makes it easier to dismiss teachers with unsatisfactory performance evaluations.

Approve 46%

Disapprove 48%

But within the margin of error.

Proposition 75 prohibits public employee unions from using union dues for political purposes without the written consent of union members.

Approve 46%

Disapprove 46%

Again, within the margin of error.

Proposition 76 limits growth in state spending so that it does not exceed recent growth in state revenues.

Approve 30%

Disapprove 62%

Proposition 77 changes the way California draws boundaries for Congressional and legislative districts. District boundaries would be drawn by a panel of retired judges and approved by voters in a statewide election.

Approve 36%

Disapprove 50%

While the poll numbers are not very encouraging for the governor, pollster Mark Baldassare cautioned that the results don’t mean the election is over.

“All these measures are close,” he said. “There’s a considerable amount of time . . . and there will be new messages and counter-messages. I don’t feel like this election is necessarily settled.”

This poll although not favorble to the Governor is not disastrous either.

Indeed, Proposition 74 and 75 may be winning since the results are within the margin of error.

And Schwarzenegger has forced the California Teachers Association to spend $52.9 million fighting these measures – not a small chunk of change.

Stay tuned the Field Organization and Los Angeles Times will soon release their polls.

Technorati Tags: Arnold Schwarzenegger, California Recovery Team, California Special Election, Bear Flag League, Proposition 74, Proposition 75, Proposition 76, Proposition 77

Cross-posted to the Bear Flag League Special Election Page