* Three Nov. 3 statewide ballot measures that previously enjoyed support from a majority of likely voters have now slipped to just below the 50 percent approval mark, according to a Field Poll released Monday.
The measures, involving schools, Indian gambling and child development still draw far more support than opposition from surveyed voters. Also, the drops below 50 percent are within the poll's margin of error.
But pollster Mark DiCamillo cautioned that the sub-50 percent approvals nonetheless could be warning signs for initiative supporters. He noted that many voters remain undecided and will be taking their stands in the remaining weeks before the election.
"Anytime you fall below 50 percent, that should be kind of a caution flag going up," DiCamillo said.
But supporters of the three initiatives noted the measures still have big leads and said they did not view the latest poll results as ominous.
Gov. Pete Wilson, who conceived a school initiative that has slipped below 50 percent, is hardly ready to throw in the towel, spokesman Sean Walsh said.
"The initiative (Proposition 8) is leading by nearly 20 points and we have faith parents will choose what is best for their children," Walsh said.
Proposition 8, which would guarantee future funding for reduced class sizes from kindergarten through third grade and make other school changes, led by 48 percent to 29 percent in the latest poll after likely voters were read a summary of the measure. Another 23 percent remained undecided.
That compares with an August Field Poll showing support at 55 percent to 24 percent, with 21 percent undecided.
A huge campaign advertising battle has been raging over another initiative, Proposition 5, a measure to allow video slot machines and card games such as blackjack at tribal casinos in California.
The new poll showed that 88 percent of likely voters were now aware of Proposition 5. That's a far greater awareness than for any of the other ballot measures included in the poll.
Among those 88 percent aware of Proposition 5, 40 percent said they were inclined to vote for the measure. Another 24 percent said they were inclined to vote against it and 24 percent were undecided.
After being read a summary of the measure, 48 percent of surveyed likely voters said that if the election were held today, they would vote for it, while 30 percent said they would vote against it. The other 22 percent were undecided.
That compares with the August poll in which 53 percent of likely voters supported the measure, with 28 percent opposed and 19 percent undecided.
Proposition 10 also slipped below the 50-percent support mark.
The new poll showed that likely voters, 48 percent to 33 percent, favored Proposition 10, which would increase the state's cigarette tax by 50 cents per pack to pay for childhood development programs. Another 19 percent of voters remained undecided.
That compares with 56 percent to 34 percent support among those polled in August.
The new poll also included two other ballot measures:
* Proposition 3, which would roll back part of the state's new open primary election law to require that delegates to presidential nominating conventions be chosen by party members, was doing poorly among surveyed voters. Only 26 percent favored the measure, compared with 43 percent opposed. Another 31 percentwere undecided.
In August, Proposition 3 was favored by 28 percent, with 49 percent opposed and 23 percent undecided.
* Proposition 9, which would prohibit utilities from charging consumers for certain costs of nuclear power plants with a goal of achieving rate reductions, also was lagging. Only 19 percent favored the measure, compared with 45 percent opposed. But many voters -- 36 percent -- remained undecided.
In August, Proposition 9 was favored by 20 percent, compared with 43 percent opposed and 37 percent undecided.