When, why, and how to register to vote.
First, the qualifications for a voter. A California voter must be a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years of age on the day of the election – and that is it. No further qualifications. And you don’t even need to be 18 yet to register. You may register when you turn 16, and you will then automatically be added to the voter rolls before the first election for which you will be 18. A new citizen may be registered to vote as soon as the naturalization ceremony is complete.
Some will tell you there are drawbacks to being a registered voter. They are wrong. For example, avoiding becoming a registered voter does not mean you will not be called for jury duty. In fact, the courts use drivers licenses and other lists in addition to the voter lists to find prospective jurors.
Being a registered voter simply means that you may vote, if you wish, when there is an election. And it is always good to have that option.
Another reason to register to vote, if you favor a particular political party, is to support that party. Even between elections, politicians and their staffs as well as political scientists and journalists take note of how many people are registered in particular parties, and act accordingly. If a political party gains in registration, its views will have greater influence.
There are 6 “qualified” political parties in California. A “qualified” party is large enough, and gets enough votes, to have its name on the voter registration cards, and have its party name appear next to the names of candidates for partisan office who are members of that party. In alphabetical order, these are California’s qualified parties:
American Independent Party
Democratic Party
Green Party
Libertarian Party
Peace and Freedom Party
Republican Party
Before registering, you should pick which party you prefer. You may also choose “no party preference,” but this gains you no advantage. Brief self-descriptions by the parties themselves may be found on the Secretary of State’s website:
Political Party Statements of Purpose)
You may register to vote on a postcard form, available at all election offices and many other government offices, or by going to the Secretary of State’s website at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration
If you move, you need to submit a new voter registration with the correct residence address. (You may also submit a new registration to change your political party.)
So please register and vote, and be sure in the coming November general election to vote for Kevin Akin for State Assembly!