Full Breakdown
California’s Voting Reforms: Higher Turnout Elusive, Counting Slows
7/3/2026, 12:52:47 AM
Stagnant Turnout Despite Expanded Mail-in Voting
Preliminary results from the June 2, 2024 primary show a 40.8 % turnout, a modest rise over the previous two primaries but far below the 70 % peaks of the 1970s. Younger voters and voters of color remain underrepresented, while older, white, affluent homeowners dominate the electorate.
Background: The Voter’s Choice Act and Mail-in Expansion
The 2016 Voter’s Choice Act created statewide vote-by-mail, community voting centers and ballot-drop boxes to free voters from a single polling place and increase participation among younger voters of color. Now every registered voter receives a mail-in ballot that can be postmarked by Election Day and counted up to seven days later; same-day registration remains available.
Data Snapshot
Primary turnout 40.8 %; 2024 presidential 71 % (five points lower than 2004); 2022 midterms 51 % (unchanged since 2002). Ballots counted within two days dropped from 81 % in 2004 to 66 % in 2024. Registration rose from 70 % to 85 %, adding 7.5 million voters. Whites are 36 % of adults but 50 % of likely voters; Latinos 38 % of adults but 29 % of likely voters; Blacks 5 % of adults and 4 % of likely voters.
Official Statements & Responses
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office, frustrated by “glacial pace,” earmarked $29 million to speed verification. The DOJ opened an investigation into Los Angeles County after President Trump cited the delay as evidence of irregularities. Senator Alex Padilla, who signed Voter’s Choice Act, called California a “leader in voting access” but urged parties to motivate voters. Kim Alexander of the California Voter Foundation noted logistical challenge of processing ballots for over 23 million registered voters.
Criticism & Opposition
President Trump and allies framed the count as proof of “nefarious activity,” fueling conspiracy narratives. Critics say the Voter’s Choice Act fell short of creating a larger, representative electorate.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The Public Policy Institute said turnout did not consistently improve or worsen for any racial group, while the Center for Inclusive Democracy highlighted stark disparities, noting whites are over-represented among likely voters. No consensus on the act’s net effect.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We still have very significant disparity in turnout with race and ethnicity. The numbers don’t lie.” — Mindy Romero, director, Center for Inclusive Democracy
- “We wish the votes were counted faster, too,” — Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (press office)
- “The effects of the (act) have generally fallen short of the reform’s original goal of a larger and more representative electorate,” — Public Policy Institute of California, 2025 study
- “candidates and political parties must do more to motivate voters to get out and vote.” — Alex Padilla, U.S. Senator
What’s Next
The 2025 budget adds funds for signature verification. Researchers from the Center for Inclusive Democracy and the Public Policy Institute will conduct a joint longitudinal study on mail-in expansion’s impact. Lawmakers will review the Voter’s Choice Act before the 2026 elections.
