https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2022-10-28/civic-engagement/ca-older-voters-expected-to-dominate-midterm-election/a81241-1
CA Older Voters Expected to Dominate Midterm Election
The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
(Digital Storm/Adobe Stock)
Early in-person voting starts this Saturday in dozens of counties across the
Golden State, and this year, older adults are expected to have outsized
influence at the ballot box.
Data from the Public Policy Institute of California
<https://www.ppic.org/publication/californias-likely-voters/> has shown that
older voters make up the biggest share of high-propensity voters. So, Luis
Campillo, Los Angeles regional director for AARP California
<https://states.aarp.org/california/>, said this population segment will likely
decide the election.
"Californians 55 and older make up about 34% of the state's adult population,
but constitute about 47% of likely voters," he said. "Whereas those who are
between the ages of 18 and 34 make up about 32% of the population, but only 23%
of the likely voters."
On Nov. 8, the ballot will contain multiple statewide initiatives on a wide
range of issues
<https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/qualified-ballot-measures>
including health care, access to sports betting, flavored tobacco products,
taxes, climate change, investments in art and education, and more. Many local
and regional measures touch on funds for affordable housing, parks and
community colleges. That's in addition to the contests for governor, the U.S.
House and Senate, plus state and local offices.
All registered voters should have received a ballot in the mail. Campillo noted
that the deadline to register for a mail-in ballot has passed, but fear not -
because California has same-day registration.
"People can still register conditionally and vote," he said, "so that just
means that you will cast your ballot, and it will be counted after the election
office goes through the verification process."
AARP California has a website - aarp.org/CAvotes <http://www.aarp.org/CAvotes/>
- and a podcast with election information. People also can text the words 'CA
Votes' to the number 222777 to get a link on their smartphone.
