'I voted' stickers. | AP Photo/Richard Vogel Last-minute California bill could boost independent votes in Democratic primary

SACRAMENTO — As California's primary takes on greater importance following the muddled Iowa caucuses, voters could find it easier to cast ballots in the wide-open Democratic presidential primary under a bill speeding toward Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk.

CA SB207 (19R) by Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) would allow voters to submit a written request to county election officials changing their party registration or address within 14 days of an election until the close of polls on Election Day.


Under current law, the state's 5.4 million no-party-preference (NPP) voters have to formally request a partisan ballot to participate in the Democratic primary, either in advance for mail ballot voters or at the polling place for those who vote in person. The Republican primary has even stricter rules set by the party — independent voters must reregister as Republicans to participate in GOP closed primary contests.

The move comes as the number of NPP voters has exploded in California, leading to confusion about who has the ability to vote in primaries. NPP voters now comprise more than a quarter of California's electorate, surpassing GOP registrants in the state.

Proponents said the change will make it easier for voters to participate in the primary they want by reregistering at the polling place.

“We need to ensure California’s nonpartisan and independent voters are able to cast a ballot for the presidential candidate they prefer,” said coauthor Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego). “Voting ought to be easy, and AB 207 will streamline the process to allow these independent voters less hassle than normal when voting for their preferred candidate.”

SB 207 is the first piece of legislation to reach Newsom’s desk in 2020, giving him enough time to sign it into law and make it effective for the March 3 primary.

“As elections officials are preparing for record turnout for the March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary Election, they need every tool at their disposal to create an efficient, positive voting experiences for Californians,” Secretary of State Alex Padilla said.

The move could also boost party registration numbers if independent voters reregister with a party just to participate in its primary. A record number of California voters have registered with no party preference, leaping ahead of Republican voters for the first time in state history in October. While Democrats have a large plurality at 44 percent, no-party-preference voters comprise 26.7 percent of the state's electorate, while Republicans have dwindled to 23.6 percent.