SACRAMENTO — Just under half of California voters support Proposition 32, a bill that would raise California’s minimum wage to $18 an hour, according to new poll results released Friday, warning of its fate in next week’s election. It is a sign of
A poll by the University of California, Berkeley’s Institute of Government, co-sponsored by the Times, found that 47% of voters and those who have already voted supported the measure. 39% said they would vote “no” and 14% were undecided.
“It’s pretty close,” said Mark DiCamillo, Berkeley pollster. “The bottom line is who’s going to vote. Turnout really matters here.”
The measure would increase the state’s current $16 minimum wage by $2 for all employees by 2026. Supporters of the proposal, including the Service Employees International Union, say more than 2 million people have low incomes despite recent industry-specific minimum wage mandates. They make less than $18 an hour and struggle to live in one of the most expensive states in the country. But opponents such as the California Chamber of Commerce warn it could squeeze businesses and shift costs to consumers.
The Berkeley poll also showed that a solid majority of voters, 60%, continue to support Proposition 36, which would impose harsher penalties for crimes involving retail theft and fentanyl. Opposition to Proposition 33, which would expand local governments’ authority to enact rent control ordinances, is growing, with 45% of potential voters now planning to vote against it.
The minimum wage proposal may be controversial, with polls showing many voters remain unsure a week before election day. The move comes after new state laws require fast-food workers to earn at least $20 an hour and health care workers to earn at least $25 an hour, with cities like West Hollywood already requiring at least $19 an hour. It is being
California’s minimum wage is $16, adjusted for inflation. This is the highest level in the country and more than double the amount required by the federal government. However, many Californians continue to struggle with rising costs of living. According to recent federal data, the current minimum wage is approximately $33,000 per year, and the average cost of living is approximately $53,082 per year.
The bill lacks majority support days before Tuesday’s election, but support has increased by 10% since a similar poll last month.
DiCamillo said the initiative’s fate will likely depend on who votes in the final hour. Supporters of Proposition 32 include Democrats, young people, and black voters, as well as residents of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other large cities. But Republicans oppose the bill by nearly 6-1, and residents in rural areas like the Central Valley are the least likely to support it.
Billionaire investor and anti-poverty activist Joe Samberg, who spearheaded Proposition 32, said he is “encouraged” by the latest poll results. he pointed to new research A study by the Center on Wage and Employment Dynamics at the University of California, Berkeley, shows that fast-food pay increases amounted to only small increases in the price of hamburgers and did not lead to job cuts.
“The opposition lies about the false narrative that inflation is the result of rising wages. The reality is that prices are rising because of corporate price gouging,” Samberg said. “I hope everyone can agree that we all want better wages, more jobs and stable prices.”
However, some businesses have cited increased minimum wage requirements as the reason for the rise in prices, and some restaurant owners who have closed have cited labor costs.
Chris Thurnberg, an economist with the California Restaurant Association, a leading opponent of the bill, said Californians are tired of “paying more for everything,” and that raising the minimum wage is a sign that they will He said he was concerned about the impact on his wallet.
“One of the big mistakes here is thinking that this only shows up in a small part of the economy. It shows up everywhere,” he said. “We’ve reached the point where we’re chasing our own tails. When are we going to stop?”
The Berkeley poll, the last before the election, was conducted in English and Spanish from Oct. 22 to Oct. 29 among more than 4,000 Californians who are likely to vote or have already voted. .
