More Resources Needed Due To Surge In Voter Turnout

Sacramento, CA – California’s top election official is requesting help to deal with the anticipated large voter turnout for the state’s June 7th primary and the November 8, General Election.

As previously reported, Secretary of State Alex Padilla released first quarter state voter registration figures for the year, showing a hike of more than half a million completed new voter registrations or registration updates. Nearly a third came from Millennials.  To prepare for the potential surge, Padilla is sounding the alarm for additional printing and staffing needs stating, “I intend to work with the Governor and the legislature to move quickly to ensure we have the resources necessary to conduct smooth and successful elections.  High interest in the 2016 election cycle, a significant rise in the use of online voter registration, growing demand for registration cards and increased voter turnout in neighboring states suggests that California could see a major surge in voter turnout.”

Stating that counties will need more resources in a letter to lawmakers, Padilla is requesting $32 million to ensure that California’s 58 county election officials and the state election office have adequate resources to conduct this year’s elections, while also verifying petitions for as many as 21 potential ballot measures.  He explains in the letter, “With as many as 21 potential ballot measures, the principal voter guide for the November General Election may be between 208 and 256 pages long.  If the Legislature adds three measures, the principal voter information guide could grow to 288 pages.”  The money would cover the increased printing costs for the much larger General Election Statewide Voter Information Guide and additional staff time to process initiative petitions and administer elections.

Padilla’s entire letter can be found here. Padilla Voter Turnout Surge Needs