According to the Secretary of State’s office, approximately 220,000 Californians have used the new online voter registration system during its first two weeks of operation.
As a result of the law SB 397, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), the new system began to allow citizens to register to vote via the internet or a mobile device two weeks ago. Those who have filled out the online registration form will now go through a verification process by county election officials before being added to the voter file.
“I am thrilled to see so many Californians using this new system to register to vote,” said Senator Yee. “While some states are suppressing the rights of voters, here in California we are significantly increasing participation.”
The new online voter registration system allows citizens whose signature is already on file with the Department of Motor Vehicles to submit their voter registration form to their county elections office electronically via the internet or a mobile device by visiting RegisterToVote.ca.gov.
In the 2008 presidential election, only 44 percent of eligible California citizens voted, Yee's office reports. Yee said, more than 6 million Californians are eligible to vote and yet many are not registered to do so.
“In just the first two weeks of operation, online registration has saved county election offices thousands of dollars,” said Yee. “Election clerks do not have to spend as much time and money entering data from paper registrations, which also results in fewer administrative errors.”
Californians have until October 22 to register for the November election.
Stay up-to-date on the latest local election and government news - follow Patch!
Don’t be left out of the conversation taking place in Belmont--Sign up for our daily newsletter|Like Belmont|Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Start your own blog
Don’t be left out of the conversation taking place in San Carlos--Sign up for our daily newsletter | Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter| Start a blog
