June 7 Turnout Is a Record Low for Statewide Election

SACRAMENTO — California’s voter turnout for the June 7 primary was the lowest ever for a statewide election, acting Secretary of State Tony Miller said Friday.

Just under 5 million of the state’s 14 million registered voters participated in the primary--a dismal 35% showing, Miller said in a news release.

“Clearly, voters are tuning out in record numbers, turned off by politics and politicians,” Miller said. Campaign reform, including limits on contributions, will be necessary to bring them back to the voting booth, he said.

The percentage was lower than the turnout for California’s special elections in 1973, 1979 and 1993, Miller said.

The 4.96 million voters who went to the polls in June represent only 26% of the nearly 19 million Californians eligible to vote. They decided the fates of 776 candidates for state office, nine statewide ballot measures and numerous local races, Miller said.