This just in from Secretary of State Debra Bowen:  A record 20.1 percent of voters have declined to state their party preference, meaning there will be more decline-to-state (DTS) voters eligible to cast ballots in a gubernatorial primary than ever before.  The report also shows 16.9 million Californians are registered voters, up from 15.6 million at this same time four years ago.

The report includes data gathered 60 days before the June 8 Statewide Direct Primary Election and reflects updates to voter registration rolls, including the removal of registrants who have passed away, moved out of state, or have been determined to be ineligible to vote, as well as the addition of new registrants.

While the number of registered voters as a percentage of those eligible has increased by 3.3 percent since this same period before the last gubernatorial primary election, the percentage of voters affiliated with a political party decreased 2 percent during the same time period.  Since 2006, the percentage of people registered with theDemocratic Party has increased from 42.7 percent to 44.6 percent, while the percentage of people registered with the Republican Party has decreased from 34.6 percent to 30.8 percent.

"California voters will have many important decisions to make when casting their ballots this June," said Secretary of State Bowen, California's chief elections officer.  "Voters will have the opportunity to decide which party candidates will square off in November, decide if five ballot measures will become law, and weigh in on numerous local issues.  For those who aren't registered to vote, the deadline is May 24."

The complete April 9, 2010, Report of Registration can be found on the Secretary of State's website at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ror/ror-pages/60day-prim-10/index.htm.

California has a "modified closed primary" system that permits each qualified political party to decide whether it will allow DTS voters to participate in their primary election.  The Democratic and Republican parties will permit DTS voters to request their ballots in the June 8 primary; the other four qualified parties will not permit DTS voters.

For a certified list of all candidates in legislative, congressional and statewide contests this June, go to www.sos.ca.gov/elections/2010-elections/june-2010/june-2010-candidates-list-040910.pdf.

By law, voter registration updates must occur 154, 60 and 15 days before each primary election, and 60 and 15 days before each general election.  There is one "off-year" update released in February of years with no regularly scheduled statewide election.