The California gas-tax repeal has maneuvered into the lead as the election comes down to the final lap, according to the latest poll.
The News10/San Diego Union-Tribune poll released Monday found that California voters favored Proposition 6, which would repeal the state’s 2017 tax on gasoline and diesel, by either a double-digit or narrow margin, depending on the wording of the question.
When Proposition 6 was described as a “constitutional amendment that would repeal gasoline and diesel taxes,” voters backed the measure by 52 to 40 percent.
On the other hand, when the question emphasized that the measure would eliminate “certain road repair and transportation funding,” voters still supported Proposition 6, but only by 44 to 41 percent.
Combining the data showed Proposition 6 ahead by 48 to 41 percent, according to SurveyUSA, which conducted the poll issued a day before Tuesday’s election.
New poll shows California voters leaning towards “yes” on Prop. 6 https://t.co/2WX1pR7NGo
— 10News (@10News) November 5, 2018
“In neither instance, given SurveyUSA’s respondent mix, does Prop 6 go down to clear defeat,” the pollster’s analysis said. “But, because support and opposition to Prop 6 is polarized, any outcome can be explained in advance.”
The results differ from two other recent polls showing Proposition 6 trailing with voters. A Public Policy Institute of California poll released Oct. 24 found the measure with 41 percent in favor and 48 percent against.
A Berkeley IGS Poll released Oct. 31 showed 40 percent of voters supported the gas-tax repeal, which would eliminate the 12-cent gasoline and 20-cent diesel taxes aimed at raising $54 billion over 10 years for road repairs and transportation projects.
Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, who signed the gas-tax bill, has led the charge against Proposition 6, heading a “No on 6” coalition that includes labor unions, environmentalists, local governments, business associations, and social-justice groups.
Opponents have vastly outspent the Yes on 6 camp, pouring $43 million into beating back the repeal versus the $5 million spent by proponents, led by radio talk-show host and former San Diego city council member Carl DeMaio.
Mr. DeMaio tweeted Monday that the latest poll shows that voters are being tricked “into voting NO when they really want to vote YES.”
ALERT - California politicians are lying to us on the ballot by putting a deceptive title on Prop 6 that polling shows tricks voters into voting NO when they really want to vote YES. Vote YES on Prop 6 to Repeal the Gas Tax!!! https://t.co/4eC5z0jEeZ
— Carl DeMaio (@carldemaio) November 5, 2018
The SurveyUSA poll also showed California Sen. Dianne Feinstein leading fellow Democrat Kevin de Leon in her re-election race by 50 to 36 percent.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.
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