With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
California, LA County turnout so far lower than 2012, but it's still early in the counting
Over 1 million ballots remain uncounted in Los Angeles County as of Wednesday afternoon, election officials reported. Once tallied, the ballots may change the low number for turnout.
(
David McNew/Getty Images
)
Listen
0:57
California, LA County turnout so far lower than 2012, but it's still early in the counting
One of the most contentious elections in recent memory just wrapped up and as of now the final turnout numbers for California and Los Angeles County aren't clear.
Early numbers show that just over 51 percent of registered voters statewide cast ballots in Tuesday's general election. That is well below 2012's final turnout of about 70 percent.
First, it’s important to know that many ballots in the recent election remain to be counted.
The Secretary of State’s office has yet to issue an official estimate. But Mindy Romero, director of the California Civic Engagement Project at University of California, Davis, estimates that 3 million or more ballots are still outstanding. That compares to the 9,964,377 ballots cast thus far, according to the Secretary of State's website.
Sponsored message
So it remains to be seen if the state will trail, meet or exceed 2012’s turnout levels.
As for local numbers, Romero said while Los Angeles County had a surge in voter registration, so far the turnout of 45 percent doesn't look impressive.
"Right now, the numbers look really low for L.A. County, and L.A. County often does have lower turnout rates than the rest of the state. At the same time, though, it is really early," she said.
L.A. County officials said there are more than 1 million ballots still to be counted, including provisional votes and vote by mail ballots dropped off at polling places. That doesn’t include vote by mail ballots that are still arriving. Valid ballots received by Monday will be counted.
Leading up to this election, L.A. County recorded the lowest vote by mail participation rate in the state, according to Romero.
As of Wednesday afternoon, ballots remain to be counted for other Southern California counties as well. Orange County officials reported 410,480 ballots still to be tallied.
The Secretary of State has until Dec. 10 to certify the presidential election results and Dec. 16 to certify election results for other races.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
