CALIFORNIA – A USC Price School of Public Policy report published in July found voters of color had lower 2024 turnout rates than California’s overall population, with 25% of Latino registered voters who participated in 2020 not voting in 2024.

Over one million fewer Californians voted in 2024 than the 17 million who voted in 2020.

Researchers said questions have emerged about who voted in 2024, as many 2020 voters sat out.

The report found that eligible voter turnout fell nearly five points – from 66.8% in 2020 to 62% in 2024. The turnout rates, however, differed across demographics groups. 

Turnout among voters of color lagged:

• One in four Latino 2020 voters skipped the 2024 election.
• One in five Asian American 2020 voters didn’t vote in 2024.
• Nearly 20% of Black 2020 voters skipped the 2024 election.

The researchers also found that nearly a third of 18-24-year-olds and at least 20% of voters under 45 from 2020 skipped voting in 2024, with smaller losses among older groups.

Registered Democrats saw a larger voter drop than Republicans, with over 16% of Democrats and 12.5% of Republicans who voted in 2020 not voting in 2024..

Greater investment to address barriers to voting

The researchers say the key question going forward is how to re-engage voters of color and youth.

“It is clear from this analysis of California’s 2024 general election that greater investment needs to be made (from governmental, philanthropic and community sources) that recognizes and addresses the significant barriers to voting that remain in the state and nation’s electoral system,” the researchers stated.

The researchers didn’t explore whether the turnout drop could also reflect growing dissatisfaction among voters, not just structural barriers.