OUTRIGHT WINS ELUDE ARNOLD, SURVEY SHOWS.

Byline: Steve Geissinger and Harrison Sheppard Sacramento Bureau

SACRAMENTO - With less than two weeks before the Nov. 8 special election, none of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's reform measures are showing majority support among voters, a poll released today says.

And despite a massive campaign, Schwarzenegger continues to suffer in approval ratings - with only 33 percent of California adults supporting his performance, according to the survey by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California.

The ratings, identical with poll results a month ago, remain the lowest of his term and come just days before voters weigh in on four measures closely identified with Schwarzenegger.

Among those, Proposition 74 - which would extend the time it takes teachers to gain tenure - and Proposition 75 - which would require unions to get members' approval before spending dues on political issues - are locked in statistical dead heats, according to the poll.

Proposition 74 had 46 percent support and 48 percent opposition - but factoring in the poll's margin of error of 3 percent makes it too close to call, experts said.

The same is true for Proposition 75, with likely voters split at 46 percent.

``Both are tight races,'' said poll director Mark Baldassare. ``It will depend on turnout and last-minute campaigning.''

The poll also found Proposition 76 - which would institute state spending limits and is the centerpiece of Schwarzenegger's ``reform agenda'' - trailing with just 30 percent of likely voters.

And the Proposition 77 redistricting measure was supported by just 36 percent of voters, according to the poll.

``None of the governor's initiatives are winning,'' said Steve Maviglio of the Alliance for a Better California. ``The `linchpin' of the governor's initiatives is failing miserably. And the governor's approval rating is at its lowest level ever.''

But Todd Harris, a spokesman for the Schwarzenegger campaign, dismissed the poll results.

``I don't buy any of the numbers. They're the exact opposite of every other piece of credible data I've seen,'' Harris said.

Proposition 73 - supported but not sponsored by Schwarzenegger and requiring parental notification before a minor's abortion - is also locked in a statistical dead heat at 44 percent on both sides.

With such close poll results, both sides agree voter turnout will be key and have engaged in grass-roots campaigns to get supporters to the polls.

Officials estimate voter turnout of 30 percent to 50 percent.

The PPIC poll was conducted by telephone Oct. 16-23 with 1,079 likely voters.

Steve Geissinger, [phone]

sgeissinger(at)angnewspapers.com

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Source: Public Policy Institute of California survey of 1,079 likely voters Oct. 16-23. The margin of error is plus/minus 3 percent.