California's time to vote within sight

By: NICOLE SACK - Staff Writer
Last day to register for Tsunami Tuesday is Jan. 22. | Tuesday, January 8, 2008 12:19 AM PST ∞

With California's primary moved up to Feb. 5, residents now have more of a chance to influence the national election -- but only if they're registered to vote by Jan. 22.

It remains to be seen if the high interest in the Iowa caucuses last week and the New Hampshire primary today will translate to a higher percentage of residents turning out at the polls Feb. 5, but some election watchers are cautiously optimistic it will.

That possibility is no doubt boosted by the state's decision to move the primary election up to February, rather than holding it in March when the last primary was held -- or in June during the state's mid-year elections -- so that the voters could have more of a say in determining presidential nominees.

Other states followed suit, thus creating what has been dubbed Tsunami Tuesday, when voters in 22 states, including California, New York and Illinois, will get the opportunity to help narrow the field of Democratic and Republican presidential hopefuls.

It is the first time in history so many states will hold their caucuses and primary elections on the same day.

"We're always trying to make an estimate of voter turnout," said Doug Kinzle, assistant registrar of voters for Riverside County. "There is a split opinion on whether we will see more voters this primary. I personally think we will see an increase in the numbers."

With the media blitz on the Iowa caucuses and today's New Hampshire primary, the election season is now moving from the abstract to the tangible. About 239,000 Democrats caucused Thursday, according to the Iowa Democratic Party, nearly twice as many as the 125,000 cast votes in 2004. The Iowa GOP estimated that 115,000 people took part in the Republican caucuses compared with 88,663 in 2000.

"You can't judge our turnout by Iowa," Kinzle said. "Iowa is Iowa."

Yet, if voter interest can be gauged by voter registration, the upcoming election appears to have received the attention of Californians.

There is already an increase in the number of registered voters this year, compared with the last presidential primary. In the March 2004 primary, there were 664,197 registered voters, while 272,992 actually voted. For the Feb. 5 primary, there are now 712,561 registered voters, Kinzle said.

United States citizens over the age of 18, who are California residents, can register at public libraries, most city and county buildings, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and at U.S. post offices. Those who have moved, changed names or want to change political party affiliations must re-register. Those who are in prison or on parole for a felony are prohibited from registering.

Shirley Walton, chairwoman of the Riverside County chapter of the California Democratic Party, said that, while many clubs have already begun registration efforts, she expects those activities to become more frequent as the deadline approaches. She expects the voting populace to be larger this election year.

"I think Iowa showed us that the motivation is really strong among voters," Walton said. "New people are out there and taking an interest in the country."

Charolette Fox of Temecula, who serves on the state board for the League of Women Voters in California, said registration is key to becoming involved with the political process, while the next step is to become informed about the candidates and the issues.

Fox said the league maintains a nonpartisan Web site and also provides people with information and registration opportunities. She cautioned that people who registered through the Department of Motor Vehicles in the past weeks should double check with the county Registrar of Voters to make sure their paperwork has been transferred from one government office to the other.

"People should call the registrar of voters now to be sure they have been processed; don't wait until the week of the election," Fox said.

Fox recommended www.easyvoter.org as a resource to see sample ballots and www.smartvoter.org to find polling places.

Bob Kowell of the Murrieta-Temecula Republican Assembly said the early presidential primary and June primary are putting a strain on the organization's resources. There will be three statewide votes in 2008.

In addition to voting for presidential candidates Feb. 5, citizens will also be able to vote on a number of propositions. Then a separate primary will take place on June 3, for statewide seats, county positions, Congress and other seats and issues that do not include the presidency.

"We haven't done a registration push yet, but we will as we approach June," he said. "I don't think most of us are ready. It's completely atypical this year. With the presidential candidates taken out of the June primary, I don't know who's going to come out and vote. I expect everyone will be out for the general (election on Nov. 4)."

On Feb. 5, voters will find paper ballots at their polling places, said Kinzle, though there will be one electronic voting machine available at each precinct upon request and for disabled persons.

Voters may also choose to send in absentee ballots, which must be received -- not just postmarked -- by the registrars office by 8 p.m. Feb. 5. Vote by mail ballot requests must be received seven days before the election. Vote by mail ballots can be obtained by completing the request form on the back of the sample ballot and mailing it to the Registrar of Voters office, visiting www.voteinfo.net and mailing it to the Registrar of Voters office.

Requests can also be made by fax at (951) 486-7272 or by letter to: Registrar of Voters, 2724 Gateway Drive, Riverside, CA, 92507. Applications must state the voter's name, residential address in Riverside County, and the address to which the ballot is to be mailed if different than the residence and the applications must be signed.

For information call the Riverside County Registrar of Voters at (951) 486-7200.

-- Contact staff writer Nicole Sack at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2616, or nsack@californian.com.

VOTING AT A GLANCE

The last day to register to vote for the Feb. 5 primary is Jan. 22.

If you have moved, changed your name -- because of marriage or court order -- or if you wish to change your political party affiliation, you must re-register.

United States citizens over the age of 18, who are California residents, can register at:

Public libraries

Most city and county buildings

The Department of Motor Vehicles

Post offices