California ballot propositions could boost usually lackluster midterm voter turnout

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Jan 13, 2014

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California ballot propositions could boost usually lackluster midterm voter turnout

Voters often sit out off-year elections, but several proposed hot-button initiatives could change that equation in November.

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 05: Joe Cigliano stand sin the voting booth as he casts his ballot at Allesandro Elemantary School on March 5, 2013 in Boyle Heights area Los Angeles, California. Turnout is expected to be very low among the city’s 1.8 million making a run off at the end of May all but certain. Los Angeles City Councilman Eric Garcetti and Controller Wendy Greuel are locked in a close tie for the lead in the Los Angeles mayoral primary. The top two vote getters will face each other in a run-off in late May. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Voters often sit out off-year elections, but several proposed hot-button initiatives could change that equation in November.

It's just five months until primary day in California's mid-term elections. Voters typically don't turn out for these contests the way they do when choosing a president.

But KPCC's Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde says conventional wisdom about low voter turnout in midterm elections may be turned on its ear in the Golden State this year.