Here Are The Results of SurveyUSA Election Poll #10318

Geography Surveyed: California
Data Collected: 09/24/2006 - 09/26/2006
Release Date: 09/27/2006 1:15 PM ET
Sponsors: KABC-TV Los Angeles, KGTV-TV San Diego, KPIX-TV San Francisco, KXTV-TV Sacramento

Schwarzenegger Tops Angelides: In an election for Governor of California today, 9/27/06, incumbent Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger defeats Democratic challenger Phil Angelides 52% to 38%, according to an exclusive SurveyUSA poll conducted for KABC-TV Los Angeles, KGTV-TV San Diego, KPIX-TV San Francisco, and KXTV-TV Sacramento. These percentages are unchanged from an identical SurveyUSA poll released on 8/28/06. Schwarzenegger leads 12:1 among Republicans and 5:3 among Independents. 21% of Democrats cross over to vote for the Republican Schwarzenegger. Schwarzenegger leads by 28 points among men and by 2 points among women, a 26-point "gender gap." Angelides leads by 7 points in urban areas, but Schwarzenegger leads by 37 points in suburban areas. Those who approve of President George W. Bush's job performance support Schwarzenegger 10:1. Those who disapprove of Bush's performance support Angelides 2:1. President Bush's approval rating among likely California voters is 37%. Schwarzenegger was first elected in 2003 in a Special Election to recall and replace Democratic Governor Gray Davis. The election is in 6 weeks, on 11/7/06.

Senator Feinstein Easily Wins Re-election: In an election for United States Senator in California today, 9/27/06, incumbent Democrat Dianne Feinstein beats Republican Dick Mountjoy 55% to 35%, according to an exclusive SurveyUSA poll conducted for KABC-TV Los Angeles, KGTV-TV San Diego, KPIX-TV San Francisco, and KXTV-TV Sacramento. In the last month, Feinstein has lost 1 point and Mountjoy has gained 1 point, a statistically insignificant movement. Feinstein leads 2:1 among women and 5:4 among men. Feinstein gets 88% of Democrat votes. Mountjoy gets 75% of Republican votes. Independents favor Feinstein by 31 points. Feinstein leads by 39 points in the Bay Area and Northern Coast. The election is on 11/7/06. Feinstein was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992.

Cigarette Tax Increase Passes: In an election today, 9/27/06, California voters approve Proposition 86, which increases the tax on cigarettes by $2.60 a pack, according to an exclusive SurveyUSA poll conducted for KABC-TV Los Angeles, KGTV-TV San Diego, KPIX-TV San Francisco, and KXTV-TV Sacramento. 6 weeks to the 11/7/06 election, 56% vote "Yes" and 42% vote "No," unchanged from 1 month ago. Women approve the tax increase by 17 points; men by 9 points. Republicans are split on the tax increase. Democrats and Independents support it 3:2. Proposition 86 are supported by middle-income and high-income voters. Voters with annual household income below $40,000 oppose the measure.

Filtering: 900 California adults were interviewed 9/24/06 - 9/26/06. Of them, 722 were registered to vote. Of them, 445 were judged to be "likely voters" for Governor and U.S. Senator. 439 were judged to be "likely voters" for Proposition 86. Crosstabs reflect Likely Voters.