California voters more cynical about ballot measures, Field Poll finds
By Dan Smith
The Sacramento Bee
The Sacramento Bee
Published: Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011 - 12:00 am | Page 3A\
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As it hits its 100th birthday, California's initiative process is losing its luster.
But followers of Hiram Johnson's landmark move toward direct democracy can take heart: the Legislature has even bigger problems.
A new Field Poll shows a bare majority of Golden State voters believe the ballot measure process is a "good thing," continuing a steady slide in popularity since 1979, when more than four out of five voters gave thumbs up in the aftermath of Proposition 13's approval.
Poll Director Mark DiCamillo said the voting public has become more cynical with what it perceives as undue influence over ballot measures from moneyed interests – three-fifths of voters said most proposition elections come out the way "organized special interest groups want," compared with 27 percent who believe the results reflect what "most people" want.
Still, 71 percent believe voters consider "the broad public interest" when deciding policy issues on the ballot, while just 19 percent believe that of elected representatives debating affairs of the state in the Capitol.
Fifty-six percent believe elected representatives are more easily manipulated by special interests than the voting public. The public, DiCamillo said, is "even more cynical about the workings of the Legislature."
As for changes to the process, voters would increase disclosure requirements for initiative backers, but are cool toward giving the Legislature the ability to amend the provisions of a voter-approved ballot measure.
But followers of Hiram Johnson's landmark move toward direct democracy can take heart: the Legislature has even bigger problems.
A new Field Poll shows a bare majority of Golden State voters believe the ballot measure process is a "good thing," continuing a steady slide in popularity since 1979, when more than four out of five voters gave thumbs up in the aftermath of Proposition 13's approval.
Poll Director Mark DiCamillo said the voting public has become more cynical with what it perceives as undue influence over ballot measures from moneyed interests – three-fifths of voters said most proposition elections come out the way "organized special interest groups want," compared with 27 percent who believe the results reflect what "most people" want.
Still, 71 percent believe voters consider "the broad public interest" when deciding policy issues on the ballot, while just 19 percent believe that of elected representatives debating affairs of the state in the Capitol.
Fifty-six percent believe elected representatives are more easily manipulated by special interests than the voting public. The public, DiCamillo said, is "even more cynical about the workings of the Legislature."
As for changes to the process, voters would increase disclosure requirements for initiative backers, but are cool toward giving the Legislature the ability to amend the provisions of a voter-approved ballot measure.
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