A staggering 87 percent of voters across the political spectrum believe moneyed donors have significantly more influence than constituents over members of Congress, according to a new poll.

The random, automated telephone survey of nearly 10,000 registered voters in 19 competitive U.S. congressional districts — including California's 11th Congressional District, represented by Democrat Rep. Jerry McNerney — was commissioned by Common Cause, MoveOn.org and Public Campaign Action.

"I've seen high numbers on questions similar to this one over the years, meaning in the 70s (range)," said Derek Cressman, western regional vice president for Common Cause. "But 90 percent? I've never seen it that high ... Voters have a strong sense that lawmakers are listening to the people with money and not listening to them."

Common Cause and Public Campaign Action are nonpartisan watchdog groups that favor public financing of campaigns. MoveOn.org. is a liberal activist organization.

The coalition commissioned the poll following a recent Supreme Court decision that enabled unlimited corporate and union spending in federal campaigns.

Campaign finance watchdogs want Congress to pass the Fair Elections Now Act, sponsored by Rep. John Larson, D-Conn. McNerney is a co-sponsor.

The act calls for public campaign financing for candidates who voluntarily agree to limit

But Democratic leaders appear more interested in stringent disclosure rules for businesses and unions and avoiding forcing vulnerable members such as McNerney into a hazardous political vote.

Democrats fear a floor vote to use of taxpayer dollars on electioneering — at a time when governments all over the nation are slashing public services — could further stir an already high anti-incumbent sentiment.

The poll results overall and in the 11th Congressional District should allay that fear, Cressman said.

Forty-two percent of voters who responded in the 11th District said the were more likely to re-elect McNerney if he voted in favor of the Fair Elections Now Act. That group included 43 percent of Republicans, 47 percent of Democrats and 33 percent of independents.

Of the 522 respondents, 21 percent said they were less likely to re-elect McNerney, while 34 percent said his vote would make no difference for them. McNerney has no challenger in the June 2 primary election.

Four Republicans will vie for their party's nomination: Dougherty Valley attorney David Harmer, Lodi grapegrower Brad Goehring, former U.S. Marshal Tony Amador of Lodi and businesswoman and autism research activist Elizabeth Emken of Danville.

In other 11th District poll results: