California sees sharp decline in voter turnout compared to 2020
- California saw a voter turnout of 16.1 million in the recent elections, down from the previous elections in 2020.
- Key propositions, including Prop. 33 and Prop. 36, experienced significant support and opposition, respectively, with Prop. 36 passing overwhelmingly.
- Officials defend the lengthy certification process as beneficial for ensuring voter participation, while critics question its impact on public trust.
In California, the Secretary of State certified election results 38 days after the November election, which showcased a significant voter turnout of 16.1 million voters, although this number was lower than the 17.7 million in 2020. The decline in turnout was linked to California's automatic voter registration system, which has increased the number of registered voters. President-elect Donald Trump captured 38.3% of the presidential vote, while Vice President Kamala Harris received 58.5%. Additionally, in the U.S. Senate vote, Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff won with 58.9%, while Republican Steve Garvey garnered 41.1% of the votes. Also notable were the outcomes of state propositions; while Prop. 33 failed with only 40% support, Prop. 36, an anti-crime measure, passed with 68.4% backing from voters across all counties. This measure allows for felony charges against serial theft and major drug crimes, reversing certain leniencies established by Prop. 47 in 2015. California officials emphasized that their prolonged election process ensures all eligible voters have the opportunity to cast ballots, advocating for a careful approach over a rushed one.