CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : SAN FRANCISCO : Public Awareness of Ballot Issues Is Low

As few as 11% of California voters are aware of the propositions on the June 5 ballot, a poll showed. The Field Institute’s California Poll showed 32% had heard of Proposition 108, a measure authorizing the sale of $1 billion in bonds to finance the purchase of rights of way for mass rail transit. Only 11% were aware of Proposition 115, a constitutional amendment limiting the rights of the accused. Proposition 119, a proposal to establish a legislative reapportionment commission, was also known to only 11% of those polled. Twelve percent had heard of Proposition 116, authorizing $1.9 billion in bonds for passenger rail systems, and 23% had heard of Proposition 118, requiring that legislative redistricting be subject to a two-thirds vote of lawmakers.