Here Are The Results of SurveyUSA Election Poll #10444

Geography Surveyed: California
Data Collected: 10/23/2006 - 10/25/2006
Release Date: 10/26/2006 12:30 PM ET
Sponsors: KABC-TV Los Angeles, KGTV-TV San Diego, KPIX-TV San Francisco, KXTV-TV Sacramento

Opposition to Prop 86 Grows, Support Declines: In a referendum today, 10/26/06, support for California Proposition 86, which increases the tax on cigarettes by $2.60 a pack, is weakening and opposition is growing, according to an exclusive SurveyUSA poll conducted for KABC-TV Los Angeles, KGTV-TV San Diego, KPIX-TV San Francisco, and KXTV-TV Sacramento. Today, 52% vote "Yes" on 86. 46% vote "No." In the past month, "Yes" is down 4 points. "No" is up 4 points. The Issue had passed by 14, now by 6. Voters age 50+ oppose 86. Younger Voters support 86. Republicans oppose by 5 points. Democrats support by 18 points. Independents, who had supported by 18, now oppose by 4, a 22-point swing. High-income voters support. Low-income voters oppose. Middle-income voters split. Given the trend, passage is not assured. The election is in 12 days, on 11/7/06.

Schwarzenegger Tops Angelides: In an election for Governor of California today, 10/26/06, incumbent Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger defeats Democratic challenger Phil Angelides 55% to 37%, according to an exclusive SurveyUSA poll conducted for KABC-TV Los Angeles, KGTV-TV San Diego, KPIX-TV San Francisco, and KXTV-TV Sacramento. Since an identical SurveyUSA poll released 1 month ago, on 9/27/06, Schwarzenegger has gained 3 points and Angelides has lost 1 point. Schwarzenegger had led by 14, now leads by 18. Schwarzenegger leads 11:1 among Republicans and 5:3 among Independents. 28% of Democrats cross over to vote for the Republican Schwarzenegger, up from 21% last month. Schwarzenegger leads by 25 points among men and by 11 points among women. Schwarzenegger leads by 5 points in urban areas, a 12-point swing from last month when he trailed by 7 there. Schwarzenegger leads 2:1 in suburban areas. Those who approve of President George W. Bush's job performance support Schwarzenegger 18:1. Those who disapprove of Bush's performance support Angelides 5:3. President Bush's approval rating among likely California voters is 31%. Schwarzenegger was first elected in 2003 in a Special Election to recall and replace Democratic Governor Gray Davis. The election is in 12 days, on 11/7/06.

Senator Feinstein Easily Wins Re-election: In an election for United States Senator in California today, 10/26/06, incumbent Democrat Dianne Feinstein beats Republican Dick Mountjoy 59% to 33%, 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 gained 4 points and Mountjoy has lost 2 points. Her lead has grown from 20 to 26 points. Feinstein leads 2:1 among women, unchanged. Her lead among male voters has grown from 10 to 22 points. Feinstein gets 92% of Democrat votes. Mountjoy gets 73% of Republican votes. Independents favor Feinstein by 34 points. Feinstein leads by 53 points in the Bay Area and Northern Coast, and by 30 points in the greater L.A. area. The election is on 11/7/06. Feinstein was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992.

Filtering: 900 California adults were interviewed 10/23/06 through 10/25/06. Of them, 713 were registered to vote. Of them, 507 were judged to be "likely" voters for Governor and U.S. Senator. 505 were judged to be "likely" voters for Proposition 86. Crosstabs reflect Likely Voters.