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AP16:066

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       

May 19, 2016

CONTACT:

Sam Mahood (916) 653-6575

 

Facebook Reminder Triggers Spike in California Online Voter Registration

Nearly 200,000 Completed Registrations or Updates in Just Two Days

 

SACRAMENTO – California Secretary of State Alex Padilla reported today that there were nearly 200,000 completed transactions on the California Secretary of State’s online voter registration website on Monday, May 16 and Tuesday, May 17.  This spike coincided with a new Facebook effort to facilitate voter registration in California. 

On Monday, May 16, 2016, Californians who logged into their Facebook accounts began receiving a reminder to register to vote through a link appearing at the top of their News Feed. 

The results were stunning. 

“Monday’s registration activity was the second highest in the nearly four year history of California’s online voter registration site,” said Secretary of State Padilla. “We appreciate Facebook’s commitment to increasing voter registration in our state. The power of social media to connect Californians to online voter registration was on full display,” Padilla said. 

"By providing a platform for civic engagement and reminding people in California to vote, Facebook makes it easier for people to participate and have a real impact on the political process. When more people are engaged, public officials hear a wider range of views, leading to an open and healthy debate." -Katie Harbath, Director of Government and Politics at Facebook 

On Monday, 143,255 registrations or updates of registration information took place on the Secretary of State’s online voter registration site. On Tuesday, another 56,717 registrations or updates of registration information were completed through the voter registration website. 

The online activity showed that approximately 33.55% of these transactions were completed by Californians ages 17-25. And, about 29.23% of these transactions were completed by Californians ages 26-35.  

"Californians have until the May 23 to register for the June 7 Primary Election," Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. "Whether you're registering for the first time or you just need to update your registration information, you can do it online at RegisterToVote.ca.gov” 

May 23 is the deadline to register for the June 7, 2016 Presidential Primary Election. 

“If you've moved, changed your name, or want to change your political party preference simply visit RegisterToVote.ca.gov by May 23," Padilla added. 

Background

The Facebook reminder post included a link to take users to Vote.USA.gov—a federal site with voter registration resources. This site redirects California users to RegisterToVote.ca.gov via a pulldown menu.

 

 

Facebook Voter Registration Reminder 

This reminder ran from May 16 through May 18, 2016, and went out to Facebook users in California who will be 18 or older on Election Day. 

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