This is the 49th PPIC Statewide Survey and the 17th in a series of large-scale public opinion polls that PPIC is conducting on a periodic basis throughout California’s election cycles. The purpose of this series is to develop an objective, in-depth profile of the social, economic, and political forces affecting public policy preferences and ballot choices in California.
Some findings of the current survey
- 64% of likely voters say they are more interested in politics now than they were during the 2000 presidential election.
- The Democratic ticket of Senators John Kerry and John Edwards holds a 16-point lead over the ticket of Republican President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney (54% to 38%). Only 6% of likely voters say they have not yet chosen a candidate.
- 63% of Californians disapprove of Bush’s handling of the Iraq situation, up 18 points from one year ago; 61% of state residents say it was not worth going to war in Iraq.
- 65% of state residents approve of the way Arnold Schwarzenegger is handling his job as governor.
- Among likely voters, Senator Barbara Boxer has a 17-point lead over Republican challenger Bill Jones (53% to 36%).