Expanding California’s Electorate: Will Recent Reforms Increase Voter Turnout?

To address declines in voter turnout, California has adopted same-day registration’so voters can register and cast ballots on the same day-and implemented online registration. A proposal to relax the deadline for returning mail ballots is also being considered. These changes are not likely to significantly increase turnout, but two of them either decrease or add few administrative costs.

This research was supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.