New poll shows dead heat in California recall election

New polling data released this week found that voters are nearly evenly split over the recall vote for California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).

The Emerson College – Nexstar poll found that 46 percent of voters were in favor of the recall vote against Newsom while 48 percent said they were opposed. The remaining six percent said they were undecided.

Emerson College noted that the percentage of undecided voters had fallen by three percent, while those in favor of the recall had risen by three percent.

The majority of Republicans and independents were in favor of recalling Newsom with 80 percent of 54 percent respectively saying they would vote to remove him.

A divide by educational levels was apparent in the results, as those without college degrees were largely in favor of the recall at 54 percent compared to the 39 percent who were against it. Among college-educated respondents, 36 percent said they were in favor of the recall while 59 percent were opposed.

Along gender lines, men were evenly split at 47 percent, while women were slightly in favor of keeping Newsom at 51 percent versus 44 percent.

Among racial groups, Black and Asian voters were in favor of keeping Newsom. White voters were evenly split and a majority of Hispanic voters said they would vote to remove Newsom.

Asked what they believed to be the top issues facing California today, voters said homelessness was the top issue with housing, COVID-19, crime and the environment following.