Here's more evidence that voters are tiring of major parties
California Secretary of State Debra Bowen reports that voters continue to reject affiliation with a poltiical party, with the ranks of independents on a steady rise. In California, independents sign their registration forms under a category called "decline to state." This trend toward DTS voters should be a loud message to party leaders in California, although they seem to think they are doing just fine. Not surprisingly, the parties are blind to the fact they are losing members.
This is another indication that the major parties in the Golden State are run by those on the political extreme. Here's a Bee editorial on the subject.
Democrats now are at 6,599,660 voters or 42.5 % of the California electorate, and Republicans are at 5,254,795 voters or 33.84% of the electorate. Both parties are down in registration from four years ago. However, those who decline to state a party affiliation are up by more than three percentage points. These independents are now at 2,980,622 or 19.2%.
Bowen also reports that of the state's 58 counties, 36 have a Republican plurality of registered voters and 21 have a Democratic plurality. Alpine County reports an equal number of registered Democrats and Republicans, according to Bowen.
Here's more from Bowen's registration statement:
Of the 58 counties in California, 36 counties have a Republican plurality and 21 have a Democratic plurality of registered voters. Alpine County has reported an equal number of registered Democrats and Republicans.When compared to the same period during the presidential primary election season four years ago, voter registration has been generally flat. The number of registered voters has increased by 89,706 over the past four years, but new registrations are not keeping pace with population growth. As a result, the percentage of people eligible to register to vote who are actually registered to vote has fallen from about 71% to just under 68%.
By law, voter registration updates must occur 154, 60, and 15 days before each primary election, and 60 days and 15 days before each general election. There is one off-year update reporting registered voter totals as of February 10. Fewer people were on the voter rolls last month than in March 2007, when the last Report of Registration was released.
“The drop is partly attributable to better tracking and removal of so-called ‘deadwood’ from the rolls,” said Secretary Bowen, the state’s chief elections official. “However, in a growing state like California, any leveling off of voter registration is troubling. The early primary in California, and the excitement surrounding the first presidential election since 1952 in which no incumbent president or vice president is running, should drive those registration numbers up over the next three months.”
The complete September 4, 2007 Report of Registration is on the Secretary of State’s website at: http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_u.htm. Hard copies are available to the media upon request through the Secretary of State’s Communications Office at (916) 653-6575.
The last day to register to vote in the February 5, 2008 Presidential Primary Election is January 22, and the last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot is January 29.
Comments
I would say that the Republicans hold no illusion about the poor condition of their party.
Posted by: Mike | October 19, 2007 10:04 AM
I can understand the reluctance to identify with any political party. I was a long-time Republican, but became increasingly disenchanted with the party over the last several years. I wasn't too fond of the Democratic party, either, and there were no third parties that matched my political beliefs.
So for a long time I just left my party affiliation as it was. It didn't help that I live in uncompetitive congressional and Assembly districts, where the Democrats only offer sacrificial lambs to oppose the GOP incumbents. I'm convinced an axe murderer could get elected here if he had an (R) after his name.
The thing that finally nudged me to make the party switch was the upcoming presidential primary. The Democratic party has one of the best fields of candidates I've ever seen in my political life, while the GOP's offerings are utterly uninspiring. It didn't hurt that I'm married to a Democrat, either.
Posted by: Mike D. | October 19, 2007 10:36 AM
I don’t know whether or not we are "tired" of political parties or just fed-up with their overall incompetence.
As a long time Republican - with the exception of 1 year as an American Independent - I haven’t voted for a Republican for President since Reagan. (All recent options have been non-conservatives). That doesn’t mean that I’ve voted for the disloyal opposition - the Demos - either! After all, I have standards! While I remain a Republican, their pandering to the perverse of society sickens me!
Charles Krauthammer, in his column today, said it about right when it comes to politicians of any party: "In explaining any puzzling Washington phenomenon, always choose stupidity over conspiracy, incompetence over cunning. Anything else gives them too much credit."
Posted by: T C Morgan | October 19, 2007 12:00 PM
"Disloyal opposition," T.C.?? You are aware that the Democrats are the majority party in both houses of Congress, aren't you? And that we live in a Republic, not a monarchy?
Posted by: Mike D. | October 19, 2007 12:48 PM
Mike:
FYI, Executive Branch - GOP; Legislative Branch - Demos; Judicial - about 50-50. BTW, the Deafeatocrats are, in my opinion, the "disloyal opposition."
And for the record, we do not reside in a republic; It’s a constitutional republic - big difference! I’m half-way impressed: At least you got it half right; most libs incorrectly believe our system of government is a democracy; I’m assuming you weren’t educated in California. Good for you!
Posted by: T C Morgan | October 19, 2007 2:16 PM
I'm aware that the Executive branch is currently (and unfortunately) held by the GOP, T.C. (and I'll ignore the usual personal digs - I'm California born and educated - Sanger High). But under our separation of powers doctrine the legislative branch owes no duty to follow the dictates of the executive. So the Democratic-led Congress cannot be a "disloyal opposition" by definition, regardless of yours or Mr. Bush's national policy preferences.
Posted by: Mike D. | October 19, 2007 2:57 PM
Author Martin L. Gross has well said: "..... Today the historic credo that the opposition should not give comfort to the enemy has been thrown out the window. The Democrats, in their not-so-slow drift leftward, have crossed the bounds of decent patriotic conduct during wartime, undermining the effort by impugning the honor and honesty of the president and commander in chief. ..... The Democratic Party is in a slide toward oblivion as it forgets its honored past and attempts to create a disloyal opposition, a new unfortunate trend in American political life. America needs two patriotic parties, but now has only one."
Posted by: T C Morgan | October 19, 2007 4:10 PM
Have productive registered voters been leaving this state as they lose faith in it's leadership and future. Population wise are they being backfilled by non citizens.Just a thought to play with the numbers.With Hillary running and Harry Reid's letter that the Maja Rushie has turned into Political Gold along with Bay area lib Pete Stark's treasonous comments you have a trifecta that will rejuvinate the conservative base and send liberals into a death spiral.It's already beginning. True conservatism will win out everytime.It's time for true conservatives to open up a can of whoop-ass on these morally bankrupt democrats and take back the House and Senate.Independents will be of no use in this battle for the soul of the country.Mike,when you say this is the best field of Democrat candidates in your political life and then dis the Republicans you don't know how moronic that sounds.Obama, Hillary and Edwards-Collectively or individually have they accomplished anything that would give the slightest credibility that they could balance a checkbook let alone run the greatest country on earth then contrast your findings with that of Guliani or Romney, even Thompsen if you dare.C'mon Mike D., Rich, Wanyne, Jason, Swifty-Give it a shot.Did you hear Rush raised $2.1Million on e-bay with Reid's anti-free speech demand letter, then Rush matched it to make $4.2 Million goin to MCLEF. That's making chicken salad out of-Well, you know.Viva Reagan and Viva Rush.
Posted by: Brian Murray | October 19, 2007 7:37 PM
Sorry, Brian, but when you tell me something "sounds" moronic (funny, I don't hear anything) - it means nothing to me. When you agree with me is when I start to worry.
Posted by: Mike D. | October 22, 2007 7:37 AM
Brian,
"Viva Reagan?" That's part of your problem. In case you haven’t heard, Reagan is dead. The logic of your comment regarding the democratic and republican candidates is as sloppy as your spelling. I don't see how the accomplishments of Giuliani (a liberal cross-dresser), Romney (a former liberal governor and current "flip-flopper") and Thompson (a hollywood insider, an actor, someone the conservatives recruited to run and now don't support) are a threat to any of the democrats.
Posted by: Wayne | October 22, 2007 10:49 AM
I just want to vote for anyone I want without being associated to any one party. It really is a matter of who is lying the most cause they all are to which we don't know until they are already elected. Just put all of them on the ballot and let us vote for one without parties. I hate this red and blue crap as well as the electoral votes just let the people vote and let us be heard. The first year I voted I was really up set because as I was standing in line to vote they were already declaring the winner which told me my vote doesn't even count.
Posted by: Jackie Krage | October 24, 2007 11:42 AM
The democratic system is broken. A Congressman rarely gets voted out. They are replaced when they decide to leave, are accused of a serious crime, or just die.
Most of them seem to get sick because of old age and get out.
Very little accountability to the voters.
Did Congress sign that 48 billion dollar check for the war? Hey That's our tax money.
Posted by: Rich | October 24, 2007 10:08 PM
"A Congressman rarely gets voted out. They are replaced when they decide to leave, are accused of a serious crime, or just die."
That's mostly true, although there are exceptions. Incumbents can be swept out when people get fed up enough - like the Democrats in '94, and the GOP in '06. But it's true that the deck is stacked against challengers.
"Did Congress sign that 48 billion dollar check for the war? Hey That's our tax money."
Actually it's our kids' tax dollars. This war is being financed almost entirely on credit. Bush's motto seems to be "Fight now, pay later."
Posted by: Mike D. | October 25, 2007 8:44 AM
Everyone should just get off their high horse and put your hat in the ring if you think you can do a better job as President. It shows a total disrespect to our soldiers who are sacrificing their lives fighting in this war as well as being away from their families.
Show some respect and appreciation to our soldiers who are there doing a job that didn't get finished in the Gulf war because they were pulled out too soon. Ask the soldiers their opinion if they think it is finished enough to come home.
Posted by: Jackie Krage | October 26, 2007 10:17 AM
Nobody is showing disrespect to soldiers, Ms. Krage. And I'm getting a bit tired of people trying to hide the President behind them to shield him from (well-deserved, imo) criticism.
Posted by: Mike D. | October 26, 2007 11:54 AM