Item 08 - Ballot Measure Polling Results

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Although the Santa Ana City Council would have the discretion to decide how to spend the revenues, the survey results indicate that voters are primarily interested in using the proceeds to fund public works and pub- lic safety, including removing graffiti and cleaning up piles of trash and litter along streets, sidewalks, and in public areas (91 % strongly or some- what favor), keeping parks and playgrounds safe, clean, and well -main- tained (90%), fixing potholes and paving/maintaining city streets (90%), providing quick responses to 911 emergencies (89%), repairing aging infrastructure including storm drains, bridges, sidewalks, and public facilities (89%), providing fire protection and paramedic services (88%), and addressing homelessness (84%). How might a public As noted in the body of this report, individuals' opinions about revenue information campaign measures are often not rigid, especially when the amount of information affect support for the proposed measure? presented to the public on a measure has been limited. Thus, in addition to measuring current support for the measure, one of the goals of this study was to explore how the introduction of additional information about the measure may affect voters' opinions about the proposal. It is clear from the survey results that some voters' opinions about the proposed measure are somewhat sensitive to the nature —and amount — of information that they have about the measure. Information about the specific services that could be funded by the sales tax, as well as argu- ments in favor of the measure, were found by many voters to be compel- ling reasons to support the measure. However, voters also exhibited sensitivity to opposition arguments, and there is a risk that voters could be swayed by divisive and hyper -partisan campaigning during the 2026 election cycle. Accordingly, one of the keys to building and sustaining support for the measure will be the presence of an effective, well -orga- nized public outreach effort, as well as an independent campaign that focuses on the need for the measure as well as the many benefits that it will bring. How might changes to A survey is a snapshot in time —which means the results of this study the economic or politi- and the conclusions noted above must be viewed in light of the current cal climate alter support economic and political climates. On the one hand, this should provide for the measure? some reassurances to the reader that the proposed sales tax measure is feasible for 2026. Even in a national environment marred by economic uncertainty, political instability, concerns about tariffs, inflation, and cost of living, and an ongoing narrative that government is the problem, support for renewing Measure X at the Final Ballot Test (63%) was 13 points above the simple majority (50%+1) required for passage of a gen- eral tax in California. On the other hand, the months leading up to the November 2026 elec- tion are likely to be punctuated with significant events on the economic and political fronts. Exactly how these events unfold and may shape vot- City of Santa Ana True North Research, Inc. © 2025