Officials across California are gearing up for Tuesday’s special election – but not quite like last fall’s presidential race.
“We’re seeing probably a much, much lower turnout.”
“We are not expecting any large crowds or long lines.”
“People don’t necessarily realize there is an election, unfortunately.”
Those are the top elections officials in Stanislaus, Sacramento and Sutter counties, respectively. Stanislaus County’s Lee Lundrigan suggests two reasons why:
“It’s in May – that’s unusual for people. And no people on the ballot, no candidates. So they are not voting for someone who they wish to vote for. It is a complex number of measures," says Lundrigan.
But Sacramento State government professor Kim Nalder says any voters who plan to sit this election out should think again.
“It’s incredibly important to the future of California, because we’re determining what budget priorities we have, which pots of money deserve to be switched around and which don’t. Their input is necessary," Nadler says.
County elections officials say vote-by-mail ballots are trickling in at a far slower pace than last fall’s presidential race.
