Report Do Registration Reforms Add New Voters or Keep Californians Registered? By Eric McGhee, Jennifer Paluch, Mindy Romero Mar 6, 2024 In recent years, new voter registration and voter address updates have surged—due largely to California’s new process for automatic voter registration. But registration reforms have not significantly diversified the electorate, and the state may need to do more to engage newly registered voters.
blog post Video: Do Registration Reforms Add New Voters or Keep Californians Registered? By Stephanie Barton Mar 22, 2024 PPIC policy director and senior fellow Eric McGhee discusses new research on whether changes to certain voter registration processes in California have increased registration, made the electorate more representative of the state’s population, and helped keep California's voter file current.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Do Registration Reforms Add New Voters or Keep Californians Registered? By Eric McGhee, Jennifer Paluch, Mindy Romero, Stephanie Barton Mar 6, 2024 Automatic voter registration and streamlined address updates have brought new voters onto the rolls while helping those who move within the state stay registered—but these reforms have not improved representation. To bring more young and diverse Californians into the electorate, the state must broaden its efforts to register new voters.
Report What to Expect from California’s New Motor Voter Law By Eric McGhee, Mindy Romero Jun 15, 2016 In 2015, California passed major legislation to increase the state’s voter rolls by simplifying the voter registration process. Under the New Motor Voter Act, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will electronically transmit information about DMV customers who are eligible to vote to the California Secretary of State, which will add eligible customers to the voter rolls unless they opt out. We find that this law has the potential to significantly alter the demographic composition of the California electorate, making the population of registered voters more representative of the state as a whole. Our estimates also suggest that the new system may rapidly expand the voter rolls, adding more than 2 million new registrants in the first year. Key implementation issues will decide the impact of the New Motor Voter Act. To ensure the law’s success, the state should require DMV customers to attest to their eligibility to vote as a precondition for completing their transaction. It will also be necessary to mobilize new registrants aggressively if they are to become new voters.
event Do Registration Reforms Add New Voters or Keep Californians Registered? Mar 12, 2024 In recent years, new voter registration and voter address updates have surged—due largely to California’s new process for automatic voter registration. In a presentation of a new report, PPIC researcher Eric McGhee will outline the ways in which registration reforms have increased or maintained the voter rolls and join report co-author Mindy Romero in discussing efforts needed to improve voter engagement.
Report California’s Exclusive Electorate: A New Look at Who Votes and Why It Matters By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Alyssa Dykman, Rachel Lawler Sep 16, 2019 The people who go to the polls in California are very different from those who don't—a gap that has far-reaching implications for our democracy and political future.
Fact Sheet California Voter and Party Profiles By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Lauren Mora, Deja Thomas Aug 28, 2024 Nearly half of California’s registered voters are Democrats, and independent registration has declined over the past few years. Six in ten Republican likely voters are older adults; a majority of Democrats are women; and half of independents are college graduates.
blog post Voters Favor New Water Bond. What Are They Missing? By Ellen Hanak, Mark Baldassare Aug 13, 2018 The PPIC Statewide Survey finds strong support for an upcoming state water bond among California likely voters. But bonds have some significant shortcomings in addressing key water needs.
Report California’s Missing Voters: Who Is Not Voting and Why By Eric McGhee Jun 26, 2017 Despite an uptick in voter registration and turnout for last year’s election, California’s long-term trends in voter participation are disappointing. Mobilizing key groups—especially Latinos, Asian Americans, and young people—will be crucial to ensure future civic engagement in the state.
blog post How Did California’s Voter Registration Rate Get So High? By Eric McGhee Nov 14, 2019 Voter registration is the highest it has been before a primary election since World War II, according to the latest information from the California Secretary of State.
