Capitol Alert: Exit polls show voters split by age on Prop. 19

Capitol Alert

The latest on California politics and government

November 2, 2010

Exit polls show voters split by age on Prop. 19

Age is a major indicator of support for the measure to legalize marijuana for recreational use, according to the first wave of exit polling conducted for The Bee and other media outlets by Edison Research.

Though voters ages 18 to 39 generally support Proposition 19 by slim margins, the measure is trailing among voters 40 and older. Respondents 65 and older also reported voting no.

The first wave of 1,500 voter interviews did not show unusually high turnout among young voters.

Predictions from some observers and campaign operatives that the measure would drive voters to the polls do not appear to be playing out so far.

Just 11 percent of voters surveyed named Proposition 19 as the one contest that matters most. Just under half the voters surveyed said the governor's race was the major draw, while 27 percent cared most about the Senate race.

The exit poll was conducted at 50 polling places across the state by Edison Research. The figures are just based on the first wave of exit interviews and expected to change throughout the afternoon. Check back soon for more updates.

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