IRVINE, Calif., July 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A November ballot measure that would expand the authority of local governments to enact rent control on homes and apartments would fail in Orange County if voted on today, according to a June survey of 300 randomly selected registered voters by Orange County Business Council.

The so-called “Affordable Housing Act”—a rent control measure qualified for the November 2018 ballot--faces early opposition in Orange County, based upon a test of the official ballot title and summary as prepared by the Attorney General of California.

Survey respondents were asked: “If there was a potential statewide proposition to expand local governments’ authority to enact rent control on single-family homes and apartments, then would you vote YES, in favor of, or NO, against such a measure?" 42% percent of the respondents indicated they would vote against such a measure, while 39% said they would vote to approve the measure.

“County voters are generally upbeat about the county’s direction and future, and support for rent control falls far below majority support at just 39% Yes in the county,” said Lucy Dunn, President and CEO of the Orange County Business Council.

The surveyed voters said they think things in Orange County are going in the right direction. While 48% of the respondents said “things in Orange County are going in the right direction," just 36% indicated they believe the county is headed in the wrong direction.

The Orange County Business Council survey, through its non-profit Center for a New California, was conducted June 15-17, 2018 among 300 randomly selected voters in Orange County, CA.  Respondents had to have participated in at least one of the four primary or general elections since June 2014 (96% of respondents) or have been registered to vote since November of 2016 (4% of respondents).  The margin of error is +/- 5.7% at the .95 confidence level.  All percentages are rounded to the nearest whole percent. 

About OCBC: Orange County Business Council is the leading voice of business in Orange County, California. OCBC represents and promotes the business community, working with government and academia, to enhance Orange County’s economic development and prosperity in order to preserve a high quality of life. OCBC serves member and investor businesses with nearly 250,000 employees and 2,000,000 worldwide. In providing a proactive forum for business and supporting organizations, OCBC helps assure the financial growth of America’s sixth largest county. For more information, visit www.ocbc.org .  Center for a New California, 501(c)3, is dedicated to research, education and community impact of infrastructure, including housing.

CONTACT: Byron de Arakal Vice President of Communications 949.794.7210 bdearakal@ocbc.org