CA Independents Dwarf Establishment Parties in New Voter Registration

image
Published: 04 Jun, 2018
1 min read

IVN reported last week that a purple wave is sweeping over deep blue California. Independents (registered No Party Preference in California) now outnumber Republicans by over 83,500 voters -- and the number is likely to continue to increase, looking at statewide trends.

The latest report from the California secretary of state shows an increase of 168,588 voters from April 6 to May 21. The increase was mostly registered independents, who dwarfed gains made by the Democratic and Republican Parties -- comprising approximately 70% (69.7%) of total new voters.

Here is the breakdown:

  • Democrats: 32,804
  • Republican: 5,332
  • No Party Preference: 117,499
  • Other (third party / unknown): 12,953

Note: It is difficult to tell what role California's new motor voter law had on the numbers. The new automatic voter registration system went into effect in late April. I reached out to the California secretary of state's office, and will update the story with more information.

The increase in Republican registrants made up a mere 3 percent of the voter gains. In fact, interestingly enough, "Unknown" (included in "Other") outnumbered the GOP by over 3,300 voters.

What will this mean for the nonpartisan, top-two primaries Tuesday? So many new independent voters could have a major impact on statewide races.

You Might Also Like

Hillcrest
'Build, Baby, Build!' is NOT the Answer to Housing Crises
Can San Diego build its way out of its three-part housing crisis – supply, affordability and homelessness? Some of elected officials think so and are leading the charge. I have been in the real estate industry for 50-plus years, and I say they are on the wrong track....
27 Oct, 2025
-
4 min read
Isn't It Weird That Congress Feels No Urgency to Re-Open the Government?
Isn't It Weird That Congress Feels No Urgency to Re-Open the Government?
The U.S. has entered Day 22 of the latest government shutdown with no end in sight. As pundits expect it to surpass the 35-day record set during Trump’s first term, a new Gallup poll shows voters’ approval of Congress has plummeted in the last month. Yet, for congressional leaders, there isn’t any urgency to re-open the government. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries trade jabs back and forth in the media, but the blame game continues to be prioritized over solutions....
22 Oct, 2025
-
5 min read
Proposition 50 voter guide
California Prop 50: Partisan Power Play or Necessary Counterpunch?
November 4 marks a special election for what has become the most controversial ballot measure in California in recent memory: Proposition 50, which would circumvent congressional districts drawn by the state’s independent redistricting commission for a legislative-drawn map....
01 Oct, 2025
-
9 min read