More Californians registered to vote in the statewide special election held on March 7, 2023, surpassing the numbers from the previous year’s presidential election. According to research published by the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, over 23 million adults in California are registered for this special election, representing an increase of approximately 465,000 compared to the 22.6 million who registered in 2022.
The percentage of eligible citizens registering to vote rose slightly to 84.6%, up from 84% last year. This upward trend in voter registration can be attributed to California’s initiative to automatically register motorists when they apply for or renew their driver licenses. This program mirrors efforts previously implemented in Oregon.
G. Cristina Mora, Co-Director of the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, remarked, “This change made citizens’ right to vote not different from other rights, like free speech and due process, which do not require ‘opt-in’ processes. Eliminating such voting barriers has increased voter participation and diversity, the effects of which we are witnessing now.”
While total registered voters for this election exceed those of previous general elections, the percentage of eligible voters registering is down from a high of 88.9% in 2021, during the last statewide special election where Governor Gavin Newsom successfully fended off a recall attempt.
Special Election Focuses on Proposition 50
This year’s special general election centers on a single statewide ballot measure, Proposition 50, which is endorsed by Governor Newsom and Democratic legislators. This proposition aims to adjust congressional district maps, potentially increasing Democratic representation by modifying five districts currently held by Republicans.
As voters prepare to cast their ballots, questions remain regarding turnout rates. California’s voter turnout has fluctuated significantly over the past 25 years, with a low of 42.4% recorded in 2014 when Governor Jerry Brown was re-elected, and a high of 80.7% in 2020, during the election of President Joe Biden. The last special statewide general election in 2021 saw a turnout of 58.5%.
The proportion of voters returning ballots by mail, a practice established for all voters during the pandemic, fell to 80.8% in the last presidential election, down from a peak of 91% in the 2021 special general election.
Data from recent polling indicates registered Democrats predominantly include a higher proportion of women and younger voters under the age of 40. Interestingly, younger individuals represent an even larger segment of the unregistered voter population in California. Conversely, Republican voters tend to be older, with a higher concentration of White, married individuals and homeowners.
As the special election progresses, the focus will be on both voter turnout and the impact of Proposition 50, which could reshape the political landscape in California.
