SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Are California voters ready to change the state's "three-strikes" law? Backers of Proposition 66 on the November ballot released poll numbers Tuesday showing strong public support. But opponents said that support will shift once they hear arguments about the impact on public safety.

Supporters of Proposition 66 said they want the sentencing laws to be made "more fair." They said that since California's "three-strikes" law was approved a decade ago, too many defendants have been sentenced to prison for petty crimes.

The survey, released Tuesday by pollster David Binder, showed a 70 percent approval level.

"It's not just about my son anymore. It's a lot of nonviolent people. He had never done anything violent to anyone. So, I want the people to decide. Is this what they really voted for?" said Sue Reams, whose son is in prison.

Reams, an Orange County resident, said her son is serving 25-years-to-life at Corcoran State Prison after a drug-related conviction. Proposition 66 would change the law to require that a third strike be only a serious or violent felony.

Among the supporters for Proposition 66 is Joe Klaas, the grandfather of Polly Klaas, whose kidnap and murder spurred passage of the "three-strikes" law.

"We're going to make this go back to what the people wanted, make it deal only with violence and sexual predators of children," Klaas said.

Richard Temple, No on 66: I think that the initiative itself is totally false and misleading

Proposition 66 opponent Richard Temple says judges already have discretion on sentencing a repeat offender. He argues that passage of Proposition 66 would harm public safety, not only in future cases, but by allowing early release of dangerous criminals who are already behind bars.

Supporters call the claim grossly exaggerated.

"Only nonviolent third-strikes will be eligible for re-sentencing. And that universe, in our best estimation, is a maximum of 4,000 inmates, not the absurd number of 26,000 that the opponents have alleged," said Proposition 66 attorney Lance Olson.

"The District Attorneys' Association has done the math. They've studied this. They believe up to 26,000 inmates will be eligible for re-sentencing. And under the strict rules they've put in place for Proposition 66, they will be eligible for release," Temple said.

Reams said she hopes her son, Shane, will be among those released early if Proposition 66 passes. But those familiar with the case hope not. They say Shane Reams had multiple probation violations and at one point threatened to kill the prosecuting attorney in his case.