Younger Californians Help Drive Voter Registration

New numbers released by the State of California on Wednesday show that since January more than 560,000 people have registered to vote online and most of them are young voters, according to Secretary of State Alex Padilla’s office.

The numbers show 36 percent of the more than 560,000 people have who have registered to vote online were between the ages of 17 and 25.

“There is definitely a lot of enthusiasm from young millennials about this election,” said Santa Cruz County Clerk, Gail Pellerin. “It is exciting to see!”

There are a number of theories on why more young people are registering.

Kevin Viet Le, a U.C. Santa Cruz student who received national attention for his website Imaginebernie.com, said he thinks it is because this presidential election is a turning point for the nation.

“No matter what side you are on, as long as you are out there and doing something about it…that is what is going to make the difference in the end,” said Le.

Beyond political activism many believe it is just easier to register online.

“They implemented online voter registration two in 2013 where they got multiple languages, they made it more accessible and they got rid of some of the bugs,” said Pellerin.

Your last chance to register for the California Primary is May 23rd.

You can register HERE.