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An overwhelming majority of California voters polled by John Zogby Strategies said they oppose two bills pending before the state legislature — SB920 and SB866 — that would restrict medical freedoms and medical privacy.

The poll of 805 likely voters, commissioned by Children’s Health Defense (CHD), was conducted April 19.

According to the poll, 68% of likely California voters said they oppose SB920, which would allow the California Medical Board to inspect records of patients without their consent. 

Twenty-six percent of those polled said they support the bill.

Among the 68% who opposed SB920, 49% said they strongly opposed the bill. 

Key demographics of respondents who opposed SB920 included:

  • 77% Republicans
  • 72% Independents
  • 70% Women
  • 68% Whites
  • 68% From Los Angeles/San Diego
  • 63% From the Bay Area
  • 60% Democrats
  • 60% Parents with children under 12
  • 58% 18-29-year-olds
  • 56% Liberals

When asked about SB866, a bill to lower the age of vaccination without parental consent to 12, 55% of Californians said they opposed the measure, with 36% strongly opposing it. 

The poll found 37% of likely voters supported the bill.

Among those respondents who opposed SB866 were:

  • 73% Republicans
  • 64% Independents
  • 59% Women
  • 58% Whites
  • 57% From Los Angeles/San Diego
  • 53% Parents with children under the age of 12
  • 50% Hispanics
  • 43% Democrats

In both cases, those who strongly opposed SB920 and SB866 outnumbered or equaled the total percentage of combined support (respondents had the choice of “strongly” or “somewhat” regarding their support or opposition).

 Commenting on the poll results, CHD Executive Director Laura Bono said:

“This level of intense opposition should come as no surprise given that, historically, the more voters know about vaccine policies, the more convinced they become that the policies run counter to medical freedom.”

At the beginning of the survey, voters were asked if they support COVID-19 mandates in general. This question yielded 68% in support and 30% in opposition.

 As the survey continued and voters were asked about specific pieces of legislation using exact language from the bills, support dropped dramatically. 

 “It is incumbent upon California voters to demand transparency regarding legislation that could so dramatically change their lives and the patient-doctor relationship,” Bono said.