Primary Results Show Environment Was Top of Mind for Central Valley Voters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Anthony Reyes, anthony@tonycomms.com

OAKLAND, CA – Primary election results on June 7 confirmed findings in recent polling conducted by California Environmental Voters Education Fund (formerly the California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund) and Tulchin Research that show environmental issues were a top priority for voters in the critical battleground of California’s Central Valley. The poll found that voters in this region are extremely aware of and concerned about the impact climate change is having on their communities and strongly support a number of policy proposals aimed at mitigating these effects and protecting and strengthening California’s natural environment. Central Valley voters were concerned about several pressing environmental issues facing the region including droughts, wildfires and water scarcity. Furthermore, the poll also showed that voters in this region are particularly concerned about toxic chemicals getting into drinking water, food and everyday products. The polling memo can be found here.

“This polling makes it abundantly clear that Californians in every region of the state feel the dangers of extreme heat, wildfires, and drought close to their homes and understand that extreme environmental impacts can only be slowed down by moving away from fossil fuels,” California Environmental Voters President Mary Creasman said. “Weak responses and delays only put our health, lives and livelihoods at risk as these threats become more intense, frequent, and destructive.”

“There is no question that the effects of climate change, including extreme heat, wildfires and droughts, are becoming more visible and are an issue California voters expect their leaders to act on,” said Ben Tulchin, a leading national pollster and President of Tulchin Research. “In the public opinion research we recently conducted in key battleground regions in California that could decide the makeup of the State Legislature, Congress, and ultimately how government adopts climate policies, our polling found that regions that historically have not been that supportive of climate action are now concerned about climate change and its impact and support a transition to renewable energy.” 

The poll also found that voters in the Central Valley have extremely positive opinions of clean, alternative energy resources and tools to help reduce our carbon footprint, with overwhelming majorities voters holding favorable views of “solar power” (79% favorable), “renewable energy” (76% favorable) “electric vehicles” (63% favorable) and “wind power” (62% favorable).

In contrast, the fossil fuel industry, including oil and gas companies, are unpopular with voters in the region. When asked for their opinions of large “gas” and “oil” companies, a 56% majority of Central Valley voters reported having “unfavorable” views of gas companies while half hold similar opinions of oil companies. The entire polling memo can be found here.