voter registration

Final totals from the Orange County Board of Elections for new voter registration through the 10/12 cutoff show the following

D            6,208  40.81%

R           2,071    13.61%

U           6,783    44.59%

L              153     1.01%

TOTAL      15,213

of note -- I've been following this here since 1971, and 2012 is the first year that the Ds were not #1 in new voter registration, but also the 13% is a historic low for the Rs.

 Will have final totals by November 5 covering those registering during early voting

Voter registration is heavy in Orange County, with 11,223 new voters since January 1, with 3,320 of those August 1 through September 21.

Conventional analysis focuses on net voter registration e.g. changes in totals (by party) since January 1, but I chose to look also at gross totals to see how registration drives are faring, then subtracting to see cancellations.

 One big observation, unaffiliated registration has been at record highs this year for Orange, with Ds and Rs at historic lows. I broke out this year in two parts before showing the total for the year. The cancellations are the total of gross minus net, and covers those who move away andd register elsewhere, die, or have felony convictions recorded.

 Looks like registration for this year is likely to set an all-time record at the current pace, as registration was quite high for the May Amendment One vote. Regular registration ends October 12, with registration allowed at early voting October 18- November 3