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AP16:132 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 5, 2016

CONTACT: Sam Mahood

(916) 653-6575

 

Record Number of Californians Now Registered to Vote

California’s 18,251,826 registered voters is greater than the population of all but three other U.S. states

 

SACRAMENTO – A record 18,251,826 Californians are registered to vote Secretary of State Alex Padilla reported today. California’s record breaking 18.2 million registered voters is greater than the population of all but three other U.S. states—Texas, Florida, and New York. The report is a compilation of voter registration numbers reported by California’s 58 county elections offices. This report reflects registration data as of September 9, 2016, andregistration continues to surge. 

As of September 9, 73.45% of eligible California citizens were registered to vote. 

“This is a major milestone,” Secretary of State Alex Padilla said.  “Over 18.2 million Californians are now registered to vote. The high profile 2016 election cycle, social media networks harnessing the power of online voter registration, and relentless outreach by campaigns, businesses, elections officials, and community groups has led to this record number of voter registrations.” 

“If you are not registered to vote, don’t be left out—visit registertovote.ca.gov today. Do you know a friend or family member who needs to register or update their registration information? Send them a link to registertovote.ca.gov. It only takes a few minutes for eligible Californians to register to vote. The deadline to register to vote or update voter registration information for the upcoming election is October 24,” Padilla added. 

Click here for more information and the complete Report of Registration 

Statewide Voter Registration by Party Preference - September 9, 2016

Political Party

# Registered

% of Total

Democratic

8,251,570

45.21%

Republican

4,888,719

26.78%

American Independent

456,924

2.50%

Green

84,759

0.46%

Libertarian

121,114

0.66%

Peace and Freedom

69,769

0.38%

No Party Preference

4,267,218

23.38%

Other

111,753

0.61%

Total

18,251,826

 

Voter Registration by Age – September 9, 2016

Age

Total Registered

% of Total

17.5*- 25

2,206,729

12.09%

26 – 35 

3,169,211

17.36%

36 – 45

2,746,490

15.05%

46 – 55

3,152,003

17.27%

56 – 65

3,194,522

17.50%

66+

3,782,871

20.73%

 

*Includes 17-year-olds who will be 18 by the November 8, 2016, General Election. 

Counties where young voters age 17.5 – 25 make up highest percentage of total voter registration

County

% of voters ages 17.5 - 25

Merced

17.47%

Santa Barbara

17.41%

Tulare

15.47%

Yolo 

15.30%

San Bernardino

14.66%

 

Trends

Since the last 60-Day Report of Registration for a general election in a presidential election year (September 7, 2012): 

  • The total voter registration in the state increased from 17,259,680 to 18,251,826.
  • The percentage of the total number of registered voters compared to the number of people who are eligible to register to vote increased from 72.6% to 73.5%.
  • The percentage of voters who have no party preference increased from 21.3% to 23.4%.
  • The percentage of voters registered with a qualified political party decreased from 77.5% to 76.0%.
  • The percentage of voters registered with the Democratic Party increased from 43.3% to 45.2%.
  • The percentage of voters registered with the Republican Party decreased from 30.1% to 26.8%. 

 

Registration Surge Continues

Last week, the Secretary of State’s office announced over 370,000 online voter registrations or updates of registration information occurred in a five-day period (September 23 – 27). This surge was likely due to reminders from Facebook, Google, Twitter, and Instagram—as well as attention around the first Presidential debate and National Voter Registration Day. 

Please note that these figures are not included in this most recent report. The Secretary of State’s next report of voter registration will reflect registration data as of October 24, 2016 (the registration deadline for the upcoming election).

 

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