Framing
Political voice is the ability of people to express their views, engage in political processes, and influence government actions. In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, voter turnout remained high, with over 153 million votes cast nationwide, nearing 2020 levels. In California, turnout declined, with approximately 16 million voters participating, 1.7 million fewer than in 2020, despite an increase in both registered and eligible voters. Voter turnout in California varies significantly between election types, with higher participation in presidential elections and lower engagement in midterm and local races. For instance, in the 2020 presidential election, 81% of registered California voters cast ballots, whereas the 2022 midterm election saw a turnout of only 51%; the presidential election in 2024 then had a 71% turnout of registered voters. Policies like universal mail-in voting have improved access, but factors such as economic concerns, political disillusionment, and demographic disparities continue to influence participation.
Policy spotlight
* Automatic Voter Registration (AVR): Since 1993, the National Voter Registration Act, often known as the Motor Voter law, has helped millions of people register to vote or update their voter information during a driver license or ID card transaction at the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Recent program changes have eligible individuals automatically registered to vote during DMV transactions unless they opt out. * Voter's Choice Act (VCA): Enacted through Senate Bill 450 in 2016, the VCA modernizes elections by mailing every registered voter a ballot, expanding in-person early voting, and allowing voters to cast ballots at any vote center within their county.
Justice lens
* Californians who are most likely to vote continue to be disproportionately white, affluent, college-educated, and homeowners. * White adults account for 50% of likely voters but only 38% of the state's population. * Latino adults make up 26% of likely voters while representing 36% of the population. * Asian American residents comprise 15% of likely voters and 16% of the population. * Black residents represent 5% of both likely voters and the overall population. * Most of the 4.7 million eligible but unregistered voters in the state are Black, Latino, or Asian American and Pacific Islander. This represents the largest unregistered state electorate in the country, and surpasses the population of 24 states. California must continue to improve its voter registration system and support community-based organizations that educate and engage voters.
Source & citation
Content on this page draws from The California Doughnut Snapshot and Report, used under CC-BY 4.0.
Aritza, A. and Kraus-Polk, J. et al. (2025). The California Doughnut Snapshot and Report. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17540639