OAKLAND, CA – As Californians struggle with an affordability crisis driven in part by the climate crisis, new statewide polling shows voters are clear about what they want from their next governor: leadership that delivers affordable energy and insurance, safe and reliable water, and real accountability for corporate polluters.
Conducted by California Environmental Voters Education Fund (EnviroVoters Ed Fund), in partnership with David Binder Research, the poll reveals key voter priorities in the lead up to the 2026 California governor’s race, including:
– 70% of voters want California to lead on environmental protection AND affordability even without the federal government’s support.
– There’s strong support for clean energy investment with 68% of voters supporting increasing California’s investment in clean energy sources.
– 71% of Californians want to live in a state with affordable, clean energy, clean drinking water, and public green spaces.
– 74% say California must continue its global leadership in protecting biodiversity.
– Affordability matters in the clean transition and 65% believe the cost of electric vehicles should be reduced to make them more affordable for Californians.
– There’s a demand for proactive climate solutions with 83% of voters prioritizing regulations and investments that protect communities from wildfires, flooding, drought, extreme heat, and air pollution.
– Voters strongly support corporate accountability with 66% saying billion-dollar corporations responsible for the climate crisis should offset climate-driven increases in home insurance costs.
“Californians are experiencing the affordability crisis every day and they know the climate crisis and corporate greed is making it worse,” said Mary Creasman, Chief Executive Officer, EnviroVoters. “Voters are clear on what they actually want from their next governor: leadership that protects our land and water, invests in clean, affordable energy, and stands up to oil companies and corporate polluters instead of letting families pay the price. This is a clear call for bold, solutions-driven leadership that delivers on the California promise.”
As the race for governor takes shape, voters are demanding action that meets the scale of today’s crises by strengthening affordability, protecting communities, and ensuring California continues to lead. The message to all candidates is clear: voters want a leader who can solve both the affordability crisis and the climate crisis — not choose between them.
Full poll results can be found here.
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CONTACT:
Erika Guzman Cornejo
(310) 755-1615
erika@envirovoters.org
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ABOUT CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL VOTERS
California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. See more press releases.
