Let’s Build California:

A Voter Mandate

The most comprehensive study of infrastructure opinion ever conducted in Southern California finds overwhelming support for infrastructure investment. But that support comes with clear expectations.

Quantitative data representative of n=5000 adults aged 18+ across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura Counties. Data collected online and by phone, Feb 12 – Mar 9 2026. Qualitative data drawn from 12 focus group conversations involving 85 residents, Apr 2026.

There is a strong voter mandate for infrastructure development in Southern California

85%

Are in favor of new infrastructure being built in their local neighborhood

79%

Believe their county needs more affordable housing and infrastructure to thrive

56%

Believe Southern California invests too little in infrastructure

This support holds across all six counties and is consistent across demographic groups and political affiliation. The mandate to build is broad, deep and genuinely region-wide.

% in favor of new infrastructure being built in their local neighborhood

“Make it happen and quick, because we need it.”

Support is underpinned by daily experiences of failing infrastructure

Infrastructure development is not just supported – it is a genuine voter priority

Infrastructure challenges outrank many of the issues traditionally dominating political debate.

“Housing is a fundamental right that literally sets you up for the rest of your life.”

Southern Californians are not NIMBYs, but neither are they YIMBYs.

The vast majority are “MIMBYs” – Maybe In My Back Yard

Only 2% of Southern Californians are strongly opposed to development. But for most, support is conditional. Understanding those conditions, and speaking to them, is key to winning support.

Find out more about the five groups in the full report

What Matters
Across Groups

No new household costs

The single most important condition when asked to prioritize, at 72%.

Better standard of living

70% rate this as very important or absolutely essential to winning their support.

High-quality local jobs

The single most important condition when asked to prioritize, at 72%.

Build quality & resilience

73% want fire-resistant homes built to last, even if this means slower building at greater cost.

“If we want things to get better, it has to get better for everybody.”

Key Policy Debates:
Where Views Are Nuanced

Southern Californians believe their voices are under-represented in a system that prioritizes developer and political interests.

Southern Californians recognize that the current system is too slow and cumbersome. But they are wary of reform that simply hands more power to actors they distrust.

Crucially, Southern Californians distinguish between permit approval processes, which are seen as drawn out, and community consultations, which two-thirds actively support. Consultation is seen as a democratic check on a system they are mistrustful of.

“If they had an independent citizen oversight committee, I think that would give us more reason to believe in it.”

“Let’s convene as a town hall and let everyone’s voice be heard, and let’s have a democratic solution.”

Southern Californians are ready to build, but they are not offering a blank check.

The public mandate to invest in SoCal’s infrastructure is broad. There is support for speeding up building. But this cannot come at the cost of reduced quality, or reduced community voice.

Let’s Build California:

A Voter Mandate

There is a strong voter mandate for infrastructure development in Southern California

85%

79%

56%

This support holds across all six counties and is consistent across demographic groups and political affiliation. The mandate to build is broad, deep and genuinely region-wide.

% in favor of new infrastructure being built in their local neighborhood

“Make it happen and quick, because we need it.”

Support is underpinned by daily experiences of failing infrastructure

Infrastructure development is not just supported – it is a genuine voter priority

“Housing is a fundamental right that literally sets you up for the rest of your life.”

Southern Californians are not NIMBYs, but neither are they YIMBYs.

The vast majority are “MIMBYs” – Maybe In My Back Yard

Only 2% of Southern Californians are strongly opposed to development. But for most, support is conditional. Understanding those conditions, and speaking to them, is key to winning support.

Find out more about the five groups in the full report

What Matters
Across Groups

No new household costs

Better standard of living

High-quality local jobs

Build quality & resilience

“If we want things to get better, it has to get better for everybody.”

Key Policy Debates:
Where Views Are Nuanced

Southern Californians believe their voices are under-represented in a system that prioritizes developer and political interests.

Southern Californians recognize that the current system is too slow and cumbersome. But they are wary of reform that simply hands more power to actors they distrust.

Crucially, Southern Californians distinguish between permit approval processes, which are seen as drawn out, and community consultations, which two-thirds actively support. Consultation is seen as a democratic check on a system they are mistrustful of.

“If they had an independent citizen oversight committee, I think that would give us more reason to believe in it.”

“Let’s convene as a town hall and let everyone’s voice be heard, and let’s have a democratic solution.”

Southern Californians are ready to build, but they are not offering a blank check.

The public mandate to invest in SoCal’s infrastructure is broad. There is support for speeding up building. But this cannot come at the cost of reduced quality, or reduced community voice.

Faster

Reform the processes that slow down delivery.

Fairer

Ensure investment reaches the communities and counties that feel most left behind, without passing the bill to households.

Future-facing

Build to last. Southern Californians have lived through wildfires, outages and drought. They want resilience, not just speed.

Together

Done with residents, not done to them. Effective community engagement is a condition of support, not an obstacle to delivery.

Let’s Build California:

A Voter Mandate

There is a strong voter mandate for infrastructure development in Southern California

85%

79%

56%

This support holds across all six counties and is consistent across demographic groups and political affiliation. The mandate to build is broad, deep and genuinely region-wide.

% in favor of new infrastructure being built in their local neighborhood

“Make it happen and quick, because we need it.”

Support is underpinned by daily experiences of failing infrastructure

Infrastructure development is not just supported – it is a genuine voter priority

“Housing is a fundamental right that literally sets you up for the rest of your life.”

Southern Californians are not NIMBYs, but neither are they YIMBYs.

The vast majority are “MIMBYs” – Maybe In My Back Yard

Only 2% of Southern Californians are strongly opposed to development. But for most, support is conditional. Understanding those conditions, and speaking to them, is key to winning support.

Find out more about the five groups in the full report

What Matters Across Groups

No new household costs

Better standard of living

High-quality local jobs

Build quality & resilience

“If we want things to get better, it has to get better for everybody.”

Key Policy Debates: Where Views Are Nuanced

Southern Californians believe their voices are under-represented in a system that prioritizes developer and political interests.

Southern Californians recognize that the current system is too slow and cumbersome. But they are wary of reform that simply hands more power to actors they distrust.

Crucially, Southern Californians distinguish between permit approval processes, which are seen as drawn out, and community consultations, which two-thirds actively support. Consultation is seen as a democratic check on a system they are mistrustful of.

“If they had an independent citizen oversight committee, I think that would give us more reason to believe in it.”

“Let’s convene as a town hall and let everyone’s voice be heard, and let’s have a democratic solution.”

Southern Californians are ready to build, but they are not offering a blank check.

The public mandate to invest in SoCal’s infrastructure is broad. There is support for speeding up building. But this cannot come at the cost of reduced quality, or reduced community voice.

Faster

Reform the processes that slow down delivery.

Fairer

Ensure investment reaches the communities and counties that feel most left behind, without passing the bill to households.

Future-facing

Build to last. Southern Californians have lived through wildfires, outages and drought. They want resilience, not just speed.

Together

Done with residents, not done to them. Effective community engagement is a condition of support, not an obstacle to delivery.

What Matters
Across Groups

Key Policy Debates:
Where Views Are Nuanced