Two California Counties Test Programs to Raise Primary Election Turnout

A poll of 5,962 California registered voters conducted last month by UC Berkeley found that 38 percent cited lack of information about candidates and issues as the main reason they were unlikely to vote in the June 2 primary. Thirty-five percent said moneyed interests play too large a role in elections, and 28 percent believed their votes do not matter.

When asked what would encourage them to vote, 41 percent said unbiased and trusted news sources, 31 percent said ballot measures that advance their interests, and 30 percent said clearer differences between candidates on issues they care about.

County, home to roughly 225,000 people, launched the Youth Civic Initiative in 2017 to reach high school students. The program includes courses developed with state and local input that explain the voting process and the role of local and state government.

The annual Youth Empowerment Summit, held at UC Davis since 2022, brings students together with local officials. Last September, 141 students attended; more than 700 have participated since the program began. Surveys showed the share of students who strongly agreed they understood the voting process rose from 17 before the event to 63 afterward.

Yolo County reported that residents ages 18 to 24 voted at a 69.54 percent rate in the 2024 presidential election, above the statewide average of 42.5 percent for that age group.

Lake County, north of Santa Rosa, is directing efforts at residents age 65 and older, who make up 25 percent of the population. The county registrar offers seven ballot drop boxes and vote-by-mail, plus curbside assistance and delivery and retrieval of ballots for homebound voters and those in medical facilities.

The registrar stated these services are intended to give voters multiple convenient and secure ways to participate. The poll and county programs come as political advertising has increased ahead of the June 2 primary.