The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) asked would-be voters about their concerns ahead of the November election.

When asked to name the most important issue facing the state today, about three in ten Californians mention jobs, the economy, or inflation (29%), while fewer mention homelessness (14%), housing costs and availability (11%), the environment (8%), or water and drought (8%).

The rate of inflation has remained relatively high even while gas prices have fallen in recent months.

In this context, an overwhelming majority of Californians continue to say they are experiencing financial hardship due to rising prices. Findings were similar in May (35% serious hardship; 29% hardship, but not serious) and March (35% serious hardship; 32% hardship, but not serious).

The share saying that financial hardship is serious is higher among Latinos and African Americans and declines sharply with rising household income and higher educational attainment.

Republicans (58%) are more than twice as likely as Democrats (25%) and far more likely than independents (37%) to say they are experiencing serious hardship. Across regions, the share experiencing serious hardship is highest in the Central Valley (46%) and lowest in the San Francisco Bay Area (27%).

Story Date: September 26, 2022