More Californians voted last month than in any election in state history, the secretary of state’s office reported late last week. About 14.6 million Californians — roughly the population of the six states in New England and more than the population of all but four U.S. states as of 2015 — cast ballots in the Nov. 8 presidential election, according to results certified by Secretary of State Alex Padilla.The previous record of 1 3.7 million voters was set in November 2008. Statewide voter turnout last month was 75.27 percent, the highest since the 2008 presidential election. Presidential election turnout is traditionally higher than other statewide elections. Just 42 percent of voters cast ballots in the November 2014 general election, and turnout was a mere 25 percent in the June 2014 primary. Almost 20 million Californians were registered to vote prior to Election Day 2016, an all-time high. The previous record of 18.2 million was set in 2012.
The rise in registered voters mirrors the state’s population growth. Since 1990, California, which currently has 39.2 million people, has added more than 9 million residents.
Voter registration surged before the June primary and the November election. Interest in this year’s primary grew with Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders actively campaigning in California for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Encouraging voter participation is a priority for California election officials. Voters can register online, registration forms are available in public offices and voters can register when they obtain or renew a driver’s license.
Full Article: November’s presidential election broke records in California.