CALIFORNIA VOTERS SAY: “Yes” to Recall “Yes” to Schwarzenegger . . . IN NEW POLL

Those most likely to turn out are most negative toward Gov. Gray Davis

Monday, September 29, 2003

By Frank Newport

Gallup News Service Writer

Support for the recall of Gov. Gray Davis among all registered voters in California is now at 55%. This constitutes a significant drop from the 64% who favored the recall in a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll conducted in early August, shortly after it became clear that the recall election was likely to occur.

PRINCETON, N.J. -- GNS
A new CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll in California shows that the majority of California voters favor the recall of Democratic Gov. Gray Davis. The poll also shows that Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger is ahead of all other candidates when voters are asked who should replace Davis if he is recalled.

The poll, conducted Sept. 25-27, after last Wednesday night's televised candidate debate, indicates that the voters most likely to turn out to vote in this election are those holding the most anti-Davis sentiments, suggesting that the governor's troubles are compounded by a lack of enthusiasm among those who are his natural supporters. The recall is favored by 55% of all registered voters in California, but by 63% of those deemed by Gallup to be most likely to vote.

As I mentioned earlier, there will be two questions on the ballot on October 7th. First, voters will be asked whether Governor Gray Davis should be removed from office or not. If the recall election were being held today, would you vote to -- remove Davis from office, or would you vote to keep Davis in office?

Sep 25-27, 2003

Voters who watched last Wednesday night's televised debate involving five of the candidates -- the only debate in which Schwarzenegger is expected to appear -- believe that Republican state Sen. Tom McClintock did the best job. Despite this strong showing, however, the plurality of Republicans believe that McClintock should step aside in favor of Schwarzenegger.

* Interest in Oct. 7 Election and Projected Turnout Fueled by Anti-Davis Sentiment

* Probable Voters

* Recall Passes at This Point

* Schwarzenegger Ahead in Race to Replace Gov. Davis, Particularly Among Likely Voters

* McClintock Scores Well in Debate, but This Apparently Didn't Help Him Gain Votes

* Lack of Political Experience Not Hurting Schwarzenegger

(More: Gallup.com)
2003 © The Gallup Organization.

Dan