Monday is final day to register to vote; registration efforts in high gear

Monday is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 4 election, and activists have been working hard to sign people up.

Voter participation typically drops when there is no presidential contest on the ballot. But there are several close races for Congress and the Legislature in California, and whichever party does the better job of getting its voters to the polls is likely to determine the outcomes in those contests — as well as whether the dominant Democrats regain their full legislative supermajority.

Also on the ballot are all of California’s statewide offices and six ballot measures, including a $7.5-billion bond proposal to pay for an update of the state’s massive water system.

Several local jurisdictions throughout the state are holding elections as well. In Los Angeles County, for example, the race to succeed retiring Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky is one of the hottest contests this fall.

In the Inland Empire, former Democratic Rep. Joe Baca is trying for a political comeback with an effort to unseat Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren.

Up and down the state, dozens of school and community college districts are hoping to pass campus improvement bonds.

Monday’s registration deadline applies to those who have moved or changed their names, in addition to new voters.

Technology has made registering to vote more convenient — it can be done online through the secretary of state’s website at RegisterToVote.ca.gov or through the website of a resident’s home county. For those who prefer paper applications, they are available at public libraries, post offices, Department of Motor Vehicles offices and many other state government sites.

Residents also can check their voter registration status online through the secretary of state or their county registrar’s office.

This fall, election officials in Los Angeles and Orange counties have teamed up with some local news outlets to encourage registration and participation in the upcoming elections. Media that broadcast in English as well as some other languages are participating, officials said: CBS Radio Los Angeles, Emmis Communications (Power 106) and Entravision Communications (Super Estrella 107.1), among others.

The two counties this month unveiled a portal, https://www.socalvotes.com, to help voters find election information.

“As the eligible voter population grows, so must our strategies for engaging and informing voters,” said L.A. County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean C. Logan.

L.A. County posted the lowest turnout in the state for the June 3 primary: 16.97%. Statewide turnout hit a record low during that election: 25.17%. Officials expect that turnout in November will be better but still well short of that typically seen in years when presidents are chosen.

Neal Kelley, Logan’s Orange County counterpart, said officials hope voters will use the new technologies, which he said give them “direct access to important election information.”

In California, about 17.6 million people are registered to vote. That’s just under 73% of the nearly 24.3 million who are eligible, according to data released last month by the secretary of state’s office.

jean.merl@latimes.com

Twitter: @jeanmerl