Secretary of State Releases Report on Registration

SACRAMENTO - California Secretary of State Alex Padilla today released the 2015 Report of Registration. The report shows that 72.7% of eligible Californians were registered to vote as of February 10, 2015.   

 A total of 17,717,936 Californians are currently registered to vote – down 337,847 since the last off-year report, but up 531,405 from two years earlier. "While registration rates fluctuate year-to-year, the stubborn truth remains that more than a quarter of otherwise eligible California citizens are not registered to vote," Padilla said.  "If we are serious about increasing voter turnout in California, we must do more to increase voter registration in California,” said Padilla. 

 Secretary Padilla is calling for a new Motor Voter law that would seamlessly register voters when they get a driver's license or renew one. Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed into law a similar measure earlier this month. Padilla called the Oregon law "a model for California." 

 In the last two years, the percentage of voters registered with the Democratic Party decreased by 0.7% and voters registered with the Republican Party decreased by .9%.  The number of registered voters with no party preference has increased by 2.7%. 

 The February 10, 2015, Report of Registration reflects updates to voter registration rolls in California’s 58 counties, including the removal of registrants who have passed away, moved out of state, or have been determined to be ineligible to vote, as well as the addition of new registrants.  The complete report is at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/voter-registration-statistics/ror-odd-year-2015.

 By law, statewide voter registration updates must occur 60 and 15 days before each general election, and 154, 60 and 15 days before each primary election. One update is published in each odd-numbered year with no regularly scheduled statewide election.  

 The registration totals for the six qualified political parties and voters who have no party preference follow. 

###