CommentsELECTION WATCH-According to a WalletHub survey on 2018’s Most and Least Politically Engaged States, California ranked #50 in percentage of registered voters in the 2016 presidential election. Using ten key metrics, the state ranked #24 in political engagement.
The personal finance website-based engagement rankings on ten key indicators, ranging from percentage of registered voters to “total political contributions per adult population.”
Broken down by age, 42.7% of 18- to 24-year olds were politically engaged (ranking 25th among 50 states) and 69.2% of eligible voters 65 and over (ranking 34 among 50 states). With midterm election turnout typically lower, California ranked 43rd in voter turnout in the 2014 midterms.
I sat down with WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez to get some insight as to why Californians are not registering to vote or showing up at the polls.
BCK: The criteria for high voter engagement includes lack of barriers to vote (ie Voter ID laws, convenient registration). California does not have voter ID requirements and has made the registration process fairly easy but is ranked 50th for percentage of voters in the 2016 elections. What accounts for this disparity?
JG: Voter accessibility and preregistration policies are two of the metrics we used to determine political engagement. California permits preregistration beginning at 16 years old and has adopted all accessibility policies. However, only 58% of the eligible population actually voted in the 2016 presidential election. This could be due to a lack of civic education. In California civics are not required for high school graduation, and only a third of the state's residents participate in civic groups or organizations.
BCK: The percentage of voters 18-24 who voted and over 65 who voted in CA are also low. Why is there such a low turnout among both groups?
JG: If we look at young people, again, the lack of civic education could be the main reason. If teenagers aren't taught the importance of voting, then it would only make sense that less than half cast their votes. In regards to the elderly population, one of the reasons could be lack of interest or trust in politics.
BCK: Another reason cited for increased voter engagement is competitiveness of races. Does this impact CA election participation?
JG: It could be. Since California is a blue state, it might be that the lack of competitiveness keeps voters away and disengaged.
BCK: California ranks 9th in political contributions, yet mid to last in voting. What accounts for this difference?
JG: Most political contributions don't come from the general population. Larger political contributions should lead to stronger, more visible campaigns. However, a stronger campaign doesn't necessarily mean it is also more efficient, and this seems to be the case in California.
BCK: Since political engagement in blue states is higher than red states, per these statistics, what accounts for the lack of engagement in California?
JG: On average, blue states tend to be more politically engaged than red states. California does contradict this rule, and the reasons could be those previously stated: a lack of race competitiveness, the lack of civic education, and a low level of interest and trust.
BCK: What are the expectations of voter engagement in the midterms in California?
JG: We did not look into any voter turnout forecasts, and usually, participation is very low for midterm elections. However, since California has made it so easy for people to register to vote, we will hopefully see a higher share of its residents showing up on election day.
BCK: What can be done to increase voter engagement in California?
JG: California's voter engagement might be higher if civic education were mandatory in high school. The state's residents should also be encouraged to participate more in civic organizations or groups.
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Election Day is Tuesday, November 6, 2018. The deadline to apply to Vote By Mail is October 30. You can apply online or check with your county election office.
The deadline to register to vote was October 15 but you may still be able to conditionally register and vote provisionally. Contact your county election office.
16- and 17-year olds may use the online registration portal to preregister to vote. [[[ https://registertovote.ca.gov/ ]]]
VOTE!
(Beth Cone Kramer is a professional writer living in the Los Angeles area. She covers Resistance Watch and other major issues for CityWatch.) Photo: Sacramento Bee. Prepped for CityWatch by Linda Abrams.
