Is there any doubt that Barack Obama will carry California? No

More than a million Californians have registered to vote since Sept. 5, pushing the state’s total to 17.3 million registered voters--the bulk of them, by far, Democrats.

In a statement issued Friday, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen reported that the number of  Democrats increased to 7.683 million, or 44% of the state’s registered voters.

That was an increase of 600,000 voters from May. It also reflects a gain over 2004, when there were 7.1 million Democrats, accounting for 43% of the state’s voters.

Overall, 74.56% of California's eligible voters are registered, a slight drop from the 75% four years ago, and down from 80.21% in 1996.

In the latest count, the number of Republicans fell to 5.42 million, or 31.37% of the state's electorate, down from 5.7 million four years earlier, Bowen said.

The Republicans’ loss was the gain of nonpartisans.

The number of California voters who declined to state a party preference remains the fastest-rising segment. There are now 3.44 million decline-to-state voters, or 19.9% of the electorate. That is up from 2.9 million and 17.67% in 2004.

The long-term trend is less than rosy for political parties. In 1996, 11.3% of the voters declined to state a party preference, while 47.2% were Democrats and 36.4% were Republicans.

In Los Angeles County, Democrats currently hold a 51.8%-24.06% edge over Republicans.

In Orange County, Republicans hold a 44.4%-31.82% edge over Democrats.

Alameda County is the most heavily Democratic county, with 57.59% Democratic. Lassen County in far Northern California has the smallest Democratic registration, at 28.66%.

--Dan Morain

Comments

[Mitchell in NY]

And there are good reasons to believe that Obama will win not only CA, but the election on Tuesday, and we have known them for months.

"A Dozen Reasons Why Obama will be the Next President: Money-Back Guarantee”
http://msa4.wordpress.com/

[steve rodriguez]

The democratic led congress in washington is at a lower approval rating than George Bush because they have not worked for the american people. Barack Obama is inexperienced and have no record of doing anything of substance during his brief time as a senator. He does nothing but lie about what he would do as persident. He doesn't have the knowledge to do anything he says. Sarah Palin has much more experience to make the economy better and be a better president than Obama. We don't need to hang an effigy of Obama/Biden, we neet to vote for McCain/Palin Nov. 4, 08.

[Ann]

No doubt at all? That's one more reason why I'm proud to be a Californian.

[AJ]

California has +5 million Republicans and our Electoral vote is all or nothing (55 votes!). We need to get this split according to congressional district, or something, but I am tired of California Democrats controlling everything in the state.