In a roundup of the statewide ballot initiatives this week, the Los Angeles Times pointed to new poll numbers which show Prop 63 running at 54 percent in favor; 27 percent opposed; and 19 percent undecided. The race is definitely getting closer, as we expected. But perhaps the most interesting number is the fact that 70 percent of voters haven't heard anything about Prop 63.
That number may amaze you. After over two years of work, with all we’ve done, to register awareness with less than one third of the electorate seems almost unbelievable. But it is to be believed, and it makes a powerful point.
The sheer size of California makes it difficult to reach significant numbers of voters. Consider this: if we spread out statewide and talked to 1,000 new people every day about Prop 63, it would take us 27 years to reach every California voter one time. 27 years.
Thus the importance of television advertising. Soon you'll see OUR message over the airwaves. Thanks to your support, we’ve bought enough TV advertising time to be on the air for the last week before the election, and we'll reach millions of Californians with our ads and direct mail pieces. But we still need help adding to that TV air time, and possibly building a radio campaign to match any radio campaign our opponents may mount.
This is what we've been working toward, and why even after all you've done, we still need your help. If you can, donate now to help Prop 63 over the top on election day. Or if you haven't already, become a Rapid Responder - pledge to donate in the event of an significant opposition threat. There are no more important things you can do to help us win on November 2.
Today I received a "voter information guide for Democrats," but it is not endorsed by the Democrats. It is 2 weeks before the election and this unsolicited mailing is a very deceitful form of influencing the vote for propositions.
In a very small box titled "Notice to Voters," the mailer states that the "Apperance is paid for and authorized by each candidate and ballot measure designated by an *.
According to the *'s, I can not help but wonder what nefarious group is overseeing this guide! The guide recommends how to vote on each proposition and specifically recommends voting NO on 63 and YES on 68.
Can you help me to know who to contact regarding this deceitful form of influencing the vote?
Thank you,
Sharon Werth
Posted by: Sharon | October 21, 2004 at 08:54 PM
Re Sharon's snide remark to Glenis...Is that what you tell the hundreds of victims of psychiatric abuse at Metropolitan State Hospital? (See my comments of 10/20). There have been many similar psychiatric abuse horror stories, but this one was recent and in California, so the people who committed those crimes are the same ones now holding their sweaty palms out for even more tax money now via Prop 63.
Posted by: Louise | October 22, 2004 at 06:20 AM