November 5, 2024 -- A monthly poll of Santa Monica residents found overwhelming support for a statewide measure to roll back criminal justice reforms strongly supported by local voters a decade ago.
Conducted via text between October 30 and November 4, the Santa Monica Pulse poll of some 80 "civically engaged" residents also found that the majority planned to vote in Tuesday's election by mail.
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Ninety-one percent of the residents who responded to the survey back Prop 36, a statewide measure that imposes stronger penalties for repeat offenders of drug possession and retail theft.
Eight percent of respondents oppose the measure while one percent were not sure, according to the poll conducted by the Center for Union Facts, a hotel workers union watchdog.
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The survey notes that supporters believe the measure would stop the “revolving door” for those who commit drug and retail crimes, while opponents argue that it will "increase incarceration rates for marginalized communities."
On October 22, a deeply divided Council voted 4 to 3 to endorse the measure, which is supported by the four candidates on the Safer slate in Tuesday's Council race ("Council votes to Back Prop 36," October 24, 2024).
The rival United slate, which is backed by Santa Monica's political establishment in its bid to regain control of the seven-member Council, opposes the statewide measure and backs LA District Attorney George Gascon's reelection.
Prop 36 would reverse criminal justice reforms initiated under Prop 47, which was approved by California voters in 2014, with nearly 79 percent of Santa Monica voters approving the measure.
The poll also asked residents how they planned to vote in Tuesday's election. Sixty-one percent said they planned to vote by mail, while 36 percent planned to vote in person and 3 percent did not plan to vote.
Election data show that 59 percent of Santa Monica voters had not returned ballots as of Monday night ("Most Local Voters Have Not Returned Ballots," November 4, 2024).
In addition, the poll found divided support for easing restrictions on Downtown businesses, with 45 percent of respondents approving the Council's recent vote to update zoning rules.
Thirty-two percent opposed the restrictions, which the survey noted would allow animated signs and game arcades, while 23 percent were not sure ("Council Changes Zoning Rules to Enliven Downtown," October 25, 2024).
The survey noted that the goal of the rule changes is to aid the Downtown's ongoing recovery from the coronavirus shutdown.
As with previous polls, the latest Pulse poll was sent via text to about 1,000 Santa Monica residents who "previously opted in to receive more information on education efforts surrounding crime and safety in their city." It had an 8 percent response rate.
Those who wish to be included in the next poll conducted monthly by the Center for Union Facts, a hotel union watchdog, should email their name and cell phone number to SaMoPulse@gmail.com.