Bay Area Voter Opinion Survey

• All in all, 77% of Bay Area voters feel things in the state have generally gotten off on the wrong track.
• Of those surveyed, 62% list at least one economic issue as their top concern facing people in California today.
• 90% are concerned with the economic future of California and 74% are concerned about the economic future of their own family.
• 68% of Bay Area voters have cut back on personal spending because of the recent economic crisis.
• 82% report that local businesses have laid employees off during the recent economic crisis and the same number say local businesses have closed.
• 82% know people who have lost their jobs and 26% have had either themselves or a member of their household lose their job.
• 92% feel it is important for the legislature to enact reforms to help attract more jobs to California and retain the jobs currently in the state.
• In general, 39% think the state has too many lawsuits.
• 55% believe the number of lawsuits filed against businesses in California hurts California’s economy. 49% believe lawsuit reforms will make it easier for California to keep businesses in the state. 52% think lawsuit reforms will make it easier for California to attract new businesses to the state.
• 48% believe that lawsuits are costing Californians their jobs.
• 55% say lawsuits cost California tax revenues and 68% think lawsuits raise the price that consumers pay for goods and services in California.
• 57% think more lawsuits will have a negative impact on our economy in terms of lost jobs and lower tax revenue.
• 44% would support a candidate for elected office that favors legislation that would make it more difficult for people to sue companies and would likely decrease the number of lawsuits against employers compared to 24% who would support a candidate that favors making it easier for people to sue.

Statewide phone survey (n=700) conducted by Charlton Research Company on July 21 – 25, 2009. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 3.5%. Bay Area breakout includes Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties.

Media contact: Marko Mlikotin ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 916-552-0372)