Shelley reports record registration, predicts 73 percent turnout

[Kadie]

Posted on Thu, Oct. 28, 2004


Shelley reports record registration, predicts 73 percent turnout

JIM WASSERMAN

Associated Press


SACRAMENTO - One of the most closely contested presidential races in modern history fueled a record rise in voter registrations across California during the past two months, Secretary of State Kevin Shelley said Thursday as he announced that 16.5 million residents are registered for Tuesday's election.

Shelley predicted at least 12 million of them will vote, an estimated turnout of 73 percent.

The secretary of state reported that nearly 1 million Californians signed up to vote during September and October, driving registrations 1.5 million higher than the March 2 primary that helped nominate President Bush and Democratic Sen. John Kerry for Tuesday's showdown.

From tiny Sierra County in northern California to teeming Los Angeles County in the south, three-fourths of the state's 22 million voting-age residents are registered to vote on Tuesday, the highest percentage since 1996, when 80 percent of eligible California voters were registered.


more...
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/counties/alameda_county/10040743.htm

[chaumont58]

1. Mariposa County

I voted about 7:15 this morning. There was no line, but there really aren't enough people in all of Mariposa County to make any line. I usually vote early, and this morning, there seem to be more voters coming and going than in previous elections. If the looks on the voters means anything, these voters are not in an incumbent mood. I did my bit: straight Dem ticket.

[Ranec]

2. 30 minute wait this morning at 7 AM

Probably about 10 times as many people in line than the last election (which had almost nothing on the ballot).

The first people in line got there at 6:45.

Pretty good enthusiasm for a solid blue state. Maybe it's the propositions.