Democratic Club

by Mary Larson

LW contributor

All Leisure World voters can be proud of their voting record in the 2024 Presidential Primary Election. The final official results of the election have not yet been posted by the Orange County Registrar of Voters. However, preliminary reports make it clear that Leisure World had the highest turnout of voters in Orange County.

In the LW area west of St. Andrews Drive, 72.2% of the 1,664 registered voters eligible to cast a Democratic ballot voted for their choice for president. The Republicans did almost as well with 70.2% percent of their 1,783 registered voters also selecting their choice.

Orange County is reportedly one of only five California counties to decide the winner of local elections, such as the one for the Board of Education, in the low turnout March primary. Other counties conduct these elections during the higher turnout November general election.

A study conducted in 2021 by the University of California at San Diego concluded that shifting local races from the primary to the general election ballot materially increases turnout, by nearly twofold. It also engages a more racially and demographically representative voter population. This is especially true for Hispanic and Asian American voters, who together account for almost 60% of Orange County’s population.

California Senate Bill 907, currently being considered by the state legislators, would, among other things, require that the Orange County Board of Education election be consolidated with the statewide general election in November of each even-numbered year. Leisure World residents will be voting to elect a member to this board in 2026.

The LW Democratic Club’s monthly membership meetings will continue to feature in-depth discussions concerning the candidates and issues that will be on the November ballots.

Issues of special concern to club members relate to the Seal Beach City Council and the Los Alamitos Board of Education. Candidates running for both of these boards will also be on many LW ballots in November.

Democrats and supporters can subscribe to the club’s newsletter by emailing mlarson. telfords@gmail.com or calling editor Mary Larson at 562296-8521. Make sure include complete contact information, including name, address, phone number and email.