Both sides on the battle over Proposition 98 agreed that the low turnout that has been reported across the state would likely help the forces trying to pass the measure, which aims to limit government’s power of land seizure while phasing out rent control.

“Low turnout doesn’t benefit us,” said Kathy Fairbanks, a spokeswoman for No on 98. “Traditionally it’s more conservative voters who vote in a low-turnout election.”

Marko Milkotin, a spokesman for Yes on 98, agreed with the assessment. “Low turnout tends to trend more conservative,” he said.

Milkotin argued that several recent polls showing the measure lacking support failed to take into account that the election would see a relatively low turnout. He said the surveys, conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California and the Field Poll, polled a more general audience.

Fairbanks said No on 98 had launched an aggressive effort to reach voters, launching what she called a targeted get out the vote effort that reached about 1 million people.

“I think we did a pretty good job educating voters about the effort,” she said.

No on 98 has been advocating the passage of Proposition 99, an alternative statewide measure that is less restricting in outlawing governmental seizure and that lacks the rent control component.