Low Turnout Expected for Historic New Election System
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RIVERSIDE- Riverside Country Registrar of Voters expects about a third of registered voters to cast their ballots in the first Top Two Primary System. Video by kmir6.com
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RIVERSIDE- Riverside Country Registrar of Voters expects about a third of registered voters to cast their ballots in the first Top Two Primary System.
This is the first time California will use the new top two primary system. The new system, approved by voters in 2010, allows voters to chose any candidate they want-- even candidates outside their own party. The top two candidates advance to the general election, making it possible for two candidates from the same party to face off in November.
"For offices such as United States Senator, Congressional offices, State Assembly offices, party affiliation no longer makes a difference," said Riverside County Registrar of Voters, Kari Verjil.
The top two rule doesn't apply to presidential candidates. However, the Democratic and American Independent parties allow voters who aren't registered with a party to vote in their primaries. To vote for the Republican presidental nominee, voters have to be registered Republican.
In Riverside County, 400,000 residents are registered to vote by mail, nearly half of all voters. Still the county isn't expecting a high turnout.
"Turnout is always lower in the primary election and that looks to be holding true for this election, so we are looking at voter turnout at possibly 35-40 percent. I hope voters prove me wrong on that," said Verjil.
If you are registered to vote, you must fill out your ballot at your assigned polling place. If you are registered to vote by mail you can drop off your ballot at any polling place in Riverside County.
Jessica Flores, KMIR6 News.
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