Decreased Voter Participation in LA County's 2024 Elections Compared to 2020

Decreased Voter Participation in LA County's 2024 Elections Compared to 2020 - Daily News (paraphrased)

In the 2024 statewide general election, voter turnout dropped compared to the historically high turnout seen in 2020, according to a report by USC's Center for Inclusive Democracy. This decline was particularly noticeable among certain demographic groups, such as Latinos, seniors, and young voters.

In Los Angeles County, the percentage of eligible voters who cast ballots in 2020 was 66.2%, which dropped to 61.4% in 2024. Over 783,000 people, or 20.6% of registered voters, who voted in 2020 did not vote in 2024, a significant decrease.

Among political affiliations in Los Angeles County, 18.9% of Democrats, 15.8% of Republicans, 28.8% of voters with no party preference, and 26.2% of voters registered with other parties did not vote in 2024 after casting ballots in 2020.

The drop in voter turnout was not limited to Los Angeles County. Statewide, the drop among eligible voters was from 66.8% in 2020 to 62% in 2024. Among voters between the ages of 18 and 24, the drop was significant, with 33.2% of them not voting in 2024 after casting ballots four years earlier.

Among certain subgroups, the decrease in voter participation was particularly notable. For example, 25% of Latinos statewide and 26.6% of them in Los Angeles County skipped voting in 2024, though they cast ballots four years earlier. Seniors 65 and older in Los Angeles County saw a 14.7% drop in voter turnout from 2020 to 2024.

The same trend was observed for Asians, with 20.9% of Asians statewide and 23% in Los Angeles County not voting in 2024 after casting ballots four years earlier. Among Black voters, 19.6% statewide and 20.6% in Los Angeles County voted in 2020 but did not four years later.

Laurice Sommers, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Greater Los Angeles, believes that misinformation or disinformation has scared away people from voting. Sommers hopes that such efforts will lead to greater civic engagement.

Romero, another advocate for voter participation, suggests that the government should invest more in providing local election offices with greater resources for voter outreach. Philanthropic organizations could also help with investments to make elections more accessible and encourage voter participation, according to Romero.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan group, provides education to the public on how to spot inaccuracies and where voters can turn for factual information. They aim to promote informed and active participation in government, and their efforts are crucial in maintaining the health of our democratic process.