Survey of Santa Clara Valley Water District

Likely Voters
Hybrid Email-to-Web/Live Telephone Survey
Conducted February 10 – 16, 2021
n=600; Margin of Error +4.0 percentage points
EMC Research #21-8064

All numbers in this document represent percentage (%) values, unless otherwise noted.
Please note that due to rounding, percentages may not add up to exactly 100%.

GREETING: Hello, my name is ________, may I speak with (NAME ON LIST)?

INTERVIEWER: NOL ONLY
INTRO: Hello, my name is ________, and I'm conducting a survey for __________ to find out how people feel
about issues in Santa Clara County. We are not trying to sell anything and are collecting this information on a
scientific and completely confidential basis.

Split Sample
Sample A: Stewardship Measure First 50
Sample B: Term Limits Measure First 50

1. SEX (SELF-SELECTED/SAMPLE)
Male 49
Female 51

2. Are you registered to vote at your current address in Santa Clara County?
Yes 100
No/(Don’t know/Refused)  TERMINATE -

3. Thinking of elections for local offices and measures, do you vote in every election without missing
any, do you vote in most elections, do you vote just occasionally, or do you typically not vote?
Every election 73
Most elections 27
Occasionally 0
Typically do note vote  TERMINATE -
(Don't know/Refused)  TERMINATE -
EMC Research #21-8064 DRAFT -2-

4. Do you feel that things in Santa Clara County are generally going in the right direction or do you feel
things have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track?
Right direction 58
Wrong track 33
(Don't know/Refused) 9

5. What do you think is the most important problem facing Santa Clara County today? (OPEN END,
RECORD VERBATIM RESPONSE, ACCEPT ONE RESPONSE ONLY)
Public Health/Pandemic/Coronavirus/COVID-19 26
Affordable Housing 18
Homelessness 17
Crime/Drugs/Public Safety 7
Jobs/Economy 5
Politicians/Government 4
Lockdowns/Business Closures/Restrictions 3
Cost of living 3
Traffic/Roads/Infrastructure 2
Taxes 2
Education 2
Racial Inequality/Policing 2
Growth/Development/Population Density 2

Other 4
None/Don't know/No opinion 2
EMC Research #21-8064 DRAFT -3-

6INT. I'm going to read you a list of organizations and agencies. Please tell me if you have a strongly
favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable or strongly unfavorable opinion of each one. If you
have never heard of one, please just say so.
Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly (Don’t Know/ Never Total Total
SCALE: Favorable Favorable Unfavorable Unfavorable No Opinion) Heard Fav. Unfav.
(RANDOMIZE)
6. Governor Gavin Newsom
21 37 14 23 4 1 58 37
7. The Santa Clara Valley Water District
12 38 18 7 11 14 50 24
8. Valley Water
7 31 13 5 9 36 37 18
9. The Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors
5 28 15 7 12 32 33 23
(END RANDOMIZE)

10. How would you rate the overall job the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors is doing?
Would you say the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors is doing an excellent, good,
only fair, or poor job?
Excellent 5
→ 42
Good 36
Only fair 30
→ 41
Poor 10
(Don’t know/Refused) 18
EMC Research #21-8064 DRAFT -4-

MEASURESINT. Next, I’m going to read you two measures that may appear on the ballot in Santa Clara
County
(SAMPLE A: ASK Q11 STEWARDSHIP MEASURE FIRST, Q12 TERM LIMITS MEASURE SECOND)
(SAMPLE B: ASK Q12 TERM LIMITS MEASURE FIRST, Q11 STEWARDSHIP MEASURE SECOND)

11. The [first/next one] reads as follows:

Shall the Santa Clara Valley Water District expand the environmental stewardship powers and
purposes in its District Act?

If the election were held today, would you vote yes to approve or no to reject this measure?
Sample A: Stewardship Sample B: Term Limits
Overall Measure First; n=300 Measure First; n=300
Yes 47 46 49
→ 51 → 49 → 52
(Lean Yes) 3 3 3
No 35 34 36
→ 37 → 36 → 38
(Lean No) 2 2 2
(Undecided) 13 15 10

12. The [first/next one] reads as follows:

Shall an ordinance of the Santa Clara Valley Water District limiting Board members to four successive
4-year terms be approved?

If the election were held today, would you vote yes to approve or no to reject this measure?
Sample A: Stewardship Sample B: Term Limits
Overall Measure First; n=300 Measure First; n=300
Yes 67 69 64
→ 68 → 70 → 66
(Lean Yes) 1 1 2
No 24 21 27
→ 25 → 22 → 28
(Lean No) 1 1 1
(Undecided) 7 8 6
EMC Research #21-8064 DRAFT -5-

(ROTATE SECTIONS “TERM LIMITS MESSAGING” AND “STEWARDSHIP MESSAGING”)

(BEGIN SECTION: TERM LIMITS MESSAGING)
13INT. Next I’m going to give you more information about the measure to limit Santa Clara Valley Water
District Board members to four successive 4-year terms. First, I’d like to read you statements from people
who support this measure. After each one, please tell me how convincing that statement is as a reason to
vote for the measure – very convincing, somewhat convincing, not too convincing, or not at all convincing.
Very Somewhat Not Too Not At All (Don’t Total Total Not
SCALE: Convincing Convincing Convincing Convincing Know) Con. Con.
(RANDOMIZE)
13. This measure will allow Board members to serve a total of 16 years if they are re-elected each term.
That allows them to see through important long term water district projects like improving water
quality, protecting our water supply and providing flood protection.
21 40 20 16 3 61 36
14. The science and regulation of water issues are incredibly complex. This measure will allow Board
members to serve a total of 16 years, if they are re-elected, which is enough time to gain expertise
and make a real difference for our community.
21 35 22 18 3 57 40
15. This measure makes sure that there is turnover and new expertise on the board by limiting the
number of terms Board members can serve. It also allows Board members to be voted out since they
have to run for re-election every four years.
37 43 10 8 2 80 18
(END RANDOMIZE)

16. Now that you’ve heard more, I’ll read you the measure again:

Shall an ordinance of the Santa Clara Valley Water District limiting Board members to four successive
4-year terms be approved?

If the election were held today, would you vote yes to approve or no to reject this measure?
Yes 62
→ 64
(Lean Yes) 2
No 31
→ 31
(Lean No) 1
(Undecided/Don’t know/Not sure) 5
EMC Research #21-8064 DRAFT -6-

17INT. Next I’d like to read you statements from people who oppose the measure to limit Santa Clara Valley
Water District Board members to four successive 4-year terms. After each one, please tell me how convincing
that statement is as a reason to vote against the measure – very convincing, somewhat convincing, not too
convincing, or not at all convincing.
Very Somewhat Not Too Not At All (Don’t Total Total Not
SCALE: Convincing Convincing Convincing Convincing Know) Con. Con.
(RANDOMIZE)
17. We already have voter-approved term limits in place limiting Valley Water Board members to three
terms. This is a blatant power-play to increase term limits so current Board members can serve even
longer.
40 33 16 8 4 73 24
18. Board members are already allowed to serve for twelve consecutive years. This measure would allow
them to serve longer than state legislators and the Governor. We should vote no on this unnecessary
measure.
39 30 17 10 3 69 28
19. Supporters say term limits make elections fairer and more competitive, which is exactly why we
should keep term limits as is and give new leaders a chance rather than letting current Board
members serve even longer.
36 36 16 8 3 72 24
(END RANDOMIZE)

20. Now, given everything you’ve heard, would you vote yes to approve or no to reject the measure to
limit Santa Clara Valley Water District Board members to four successive 4-year terms?
Yes 35
→ 37
(Lean Yes) 2
No 58
→ 59
(Lean No) 1
(Undecided/Don’t Know/Not Sure) 4
(END SECTION: TERM LIMITS MESSAGING)
EMC Research #21-8064 DRAFT -7-

(BEGIN SECTION: STEWARDSHIP MESSAGING)

21INT. Next, I’m going to give you more information about the measure to expand the environmental
stewardship powers and purposes in the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s District Act. First, I’d like to read
you statements from people who support this measure. After each one, please tell me how convincing that
statement is as a reason to vote for the measure – very convincing, somewhat convincing, not too
convincing, or not at all convincing.
Very Somewhat Not Too Not At All (Don’t Total Total Not
SCALE: Convincing Convincing Convincing Convincing Know) Con. Con.
(RANDOMIZE)
21. It makes sense to expand the scope of environmental issues the District can work on. At the end of
the day, the health of our air, water, and ecosystems all interact, and we can’t have clean water
without a clean environment.
32 40 17 9 2 72 26
22. The District has decades of experience working on environmental issues like reducing pollution in our
waterways and protecting and restoring habitat to encourage the return of endangered species. This
change will allow the District to apply that experience more broadly to ensure the responsible use
and protection of our natural environment here in Santa Clara County.
25 43 17 12 3 69 29
23. This change will allow the District to be a more effective advocate for our environment, including
preserving the natural beauty and open spaces we enjoy in Santa Clara County.
27 38 19 12 3 66 31
(END RANDOMIZE)

24. Now that you’ve heard more, I’ll read you the measure again:

Shall the Santa Clara Valley Water District expand the environmental stewardship powers and
purposes in its District Act?

If the election were held today, would you vote yes to approve or no to reject this measure?
Yes 55
→ 57
(Lean Yes) 1
No 35
→ 36
(Lean No) 1
(Undecided/Don’t know/Not sure) 7
EMC Research #21-8064 DRAFT -8-

25INT. Next I’d like to read you statements from people who oppose the measure to expand the
environmental stewardship powers and purposes in the Santa Clara Valley Water District’s District Act. After
each one, please tell me how convincing that statement is as a reason to vote against the measure – very
convincing, somewhat convincing, not too convincing, or not at all convincing.
Very Somewhat Not Too Not At All (Don’t Total Total Not
SCALE: Convincing Convincing Convincing Convincing Know) Con. Con.
(RANDOMIZE)
25. The District has plenty of responsibilities already and should concentrate on the core water issues it
was created to address.
22 35 23 17 4 57 39
26. Expanding the District’s responsibilities means they’ll have less time and fewer resources to focus on
ensuring we have a safe and reliable water supply and protecting our homes, schools, businesses and
roads from flooding.
18 36 26 16 4 54 42
27. More responsibilities just means more bureaucracy and asking taxpayers for even more money to
pay for it.
26 28 24 20 3 53 44
(END RANDOMIZE)

28. Now, given everything you’ve heard, would you vote yes to approve or no to reject the measure to
expand the environmental stewardship powers and purposes in the Santa Clara Valley Water
District’s District Act?
Yes 50
→ 51
(Lean Yes) 1
No 42
→ 43
(Lean No) 1
(Undecided/Don’t Know/Not Sure) 6
(END SECTION: STEWARDSHIP MESSAGING)
EMC Research #21-8064 DRAFT -9-

My last questions are for statistical purposes only.

29. Do you read the San Jose Mercury News regularly? (IF YES) Do you usually read it on paper or online?
Yes, on paper 9
Yes, online 21
(Both on paper and online) 5
No, do not read regularly 62
(Don’t Know/Refused) 3

30. Do you own or rent your apartment or home?

Own/buying 60
Rent/lease 31
(Don’t Know/Refused) 9

31. In what year were you born? (YEARS CODED INTO AGE CATEGORIES)
18-29 14
30-39 13
40-49 14
50-64 27
65 or over 29
(Refused) 4

32. Most people think of themselves as belonging to a particular ethnic or racial group. Do you consider
yourself to be White or Caucasian, Black or African American, Asian, Hispanic or Latino – or of some
other ethnic or racial background?
White or Caucasian 45
Black or African American 3
Asian 27
Hispanic or Latino 10
Other ethnicity 3
(Biracial or Multi-racial) 3
(Refused) 9

THANK AND TERMINATE

LANGUAGE OF INTERVIEW
English 85
Spanish 3
Chinese 7
Vietnamese 4
EMC Research #21-8064 DRAFT -10-

PARTY REGISTRATION
Democrat 54
Republican 18
No Party Preference/Other 28

Vote History
New or Infrequent Voter (0-3/6) 21
Frequent Voter (4-5/6) 35
Perfect Voter (6/6) 44

WATER DISTRICT
SCVWD 1 15
SCVWD 2 14
SCVWD 3 12
SCVWD 4 16
SCVWD 5 15
SCVWD 6 10
SCVWD 7 18