SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE (SF) - TUESDAY October 25, 1988 Edition: FINAL Section: NEWS Page: A14 Word Count: 791
Mark Z. Barabak, Chronicle Staff Writer

Asked one way, 51 percent favored the measure, 28 percent were opposed and 21 percent remained undecided. Asked another way, 44 percent favored the measure, 32 percent were opposed and 24 percent were undecided.

A second initiative, Proposition 96, dealing with criminal suspects infected with the AIDS virus, commanded a majority of support, but the level was down from past surveys, the poll found.

NO MORE ANONYMOUS TESTING

Proposition 102 would prohibit anonymous testing for HIV infection; require medical personnel to report to public health authorities the name of anyone infected with the virus or anyone they have "reasonable cause to believe" is infected, and would allow insurance companies and employers to use HIV test results for insurance and employment decisions.

The measure is sponsored by Representative William Dannemeyer, R-Fullerton; tax cutter Paul Gann and a group called "Physicians for a Logical AIDS Response." It is opposed by virtually all of the state's public health professionals and AIDS experts across the nation.

In the California Poll, an overall sample of 892 registered voters was divided into two matched subsamples. The first group was asked how they would vote on Propositions 102 and 96 after being read verbatim the descriptive part of the official ballot label that they will see on November 8.

FULLER DESCRIPTION

The second sample was asked how they would vote on the two propositions after they heard both the descriptive summary and a part of the ballot label that states the fiscal impact.

"Over the year, the California Poll has found that many voters may read the first sentence of a ballot proposition label before voting, while others may read the entire ballot label," said Mervin Field, director of the poll.

Support for Proposition 102 among those familiar with only a portion of the ballot label was 51 percent, compared with 44 percent among those who heard a full description.

The level of support was down from past surveys. "As the controversial proposition has received more public attention, approval has declined sharply," Field said, adding that such a decline matches past experience.

3RD TIME IN 2 YEARS

The November election marks the third time in two years than an AIDS-related initiative has been up for a statewide vote. In both cases, the measures lost overwhelmingly after leading in early polls.

The second AIDS-related measure on the November 8 ballot, Proposition 96, would permit court-ordered blood tests of people charged with sex and assault crimes. The initiative, which faces less organized opposition than Proposition 102, is sponsored by Los Angeles County Sheriff Sherman Block.

Proposition 96 was backed 65 percent to 16 percent among those who read only the descriptive portion of the ballot label. The rest were undecided.

Support dropped to 59 percent to 21 percent when voters heard a full description, including the measure's fiscal impact. Like Proposition 102, the support for Proposition 96 has been steadily declining over the past few weeks.

The latest survey was conducted by telephone between October 10 and October 16. The results from each subsample were subject to a margin of error of plus of minus 4.7 percent.

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CHART:

CALIFORNIA POLL

PROPOSITION 102

REPORTING EXPOSURE TO AIDS VIRUS

When voters were read just this part of the official ballot title:

Would require the reporting of persons exposed to AIDS to health officers and notifying others.

Yes No Undecided

July 72% 22% 6%

Sept. 58% 31% 11%

Oct. 51% 28% 21%

When voters were read the above plus the fiscal impact of the ballot title:

FISCAL IMPACT: Unknown, possibly as high as tens or hundreds of millions of dollars.

Yes No Undecided

Oct. 44% 32% 24%

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PROPOSITION 96

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE TESTS

When voters were read just this part of the official ballot title:

Would require court-ordered AIDS and communicable disease testing of persons charged with sex and assault crimes.

Yes No Undecided

July 79% 13% 8%

Sept. 76% 14% 10%

Oct. 65% 16% 19%

When voters were read the above plus the fiscal impact of the ballot title:

FISCAL IMPACT: The costs to state and local governments could range up to $1 million a year.

Yes No Undecided

Oct. 59% 21% 20%

NOTE: No earlier measurements were made that included the fiscal impact statement; percentages may not add up to 100 due to rounding.

Source: The California Poll

The California Poll was conducted by the Field Institute, San Francisco. The survey of 892 California voters was conducted Oct. 10-16 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.7 percentage points.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1988. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

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