For the second time this week, a new poll shows Proposition 32, which would change rules on union and corporate political donations, faces a tough road to passage on California’s November ballot.
The latest Field Poll conducted with UC Berkeley shows Prop 32 losing 44 percent to 38 percent. The six-point margin is similar to this week’s Public Policy Institute of California survey, where the measure trailed 49 percent to 42 percent.
Now, here’s what Prop 32 would do: It would ban corporate and union campaign contributions, and also ban automatic paycheck deductions for political purposes. It’s that second ban that has unions raising tens of millions of dollars to fight the measure. They fear it would sharply reduce their political power.
The measure is backed by conservatives who feel special interests have far too much influence on California politics. Both sides put up their first TV ads this week, and the polls show Prop 32 supporters have some work to do.