A record number of registered voters was recorded for Monterey County in the 2024 General Election, according to county officials.
A total of 214,883 registered voters were confirmed, which elections staff say is more than some previous elections. County data shows 23.9% are registered as Republican, while 46.82% are registered as Democrat.
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A state report of registrations showed just under 207,000 Monterey County voters were registered during the 2020 election year.
On Tuesday, many of those voters showed up as early as 7 a.m. to cast their ballot at the Monterey County Elections office in Salinas. Many voters said that the day was about getting out to the polls to make their voice heard.
“It’s important for people to get out here and vote, especially as young people like me, this is our future,” said first time voter, Kellie Williams.
With the last day to cast a ballot underway, groves of residents filled the elections office.
Gina Martinez, a spokesperson for the office of elections, said they do not expect the lines to slow down anytime soon before they close for the night.
“It’s been a wonderful election and we want to thank our voters,” Martinez said.
Martinez says this early election period has shown a substantial turnout with over 1,000 in-person votes during the early voting period, and over 80,000 ballots returned going into Election Day, nearing the 40% line.
A total of 66 polling locations were spread throughout the county, in addition to a satellite location at Monterey’s Embassy Suites. All locations were busy throughout the day, according to reports received by Martinez.
Many election staff members and volunteers were there to assist drive by ballot drop offs and in-person voting at the elections office counters, and Martinez described it all activity thus far as a smooth process.
With key issues such as immigration, the economy, and climate on the line, Monterey County resident and first time voter Carmen Alicia Guerra Cortes says it’s no surprise that to her that the number of voters for the county has gone up.
“For me, apart from picking a president, we need to keep in mind the approach to immigration,” Guerra said. “I’m not saying I am in support of or against anything that has already happened, but it’s so important to consider some new resolutions, and I think people are really interested.”
When interviewed by The Californian, several voters did not wish to disclose which presidential candidate they voted for, but many expressed dissatisfaction with both choices.
“May the best candidate win, or at least the person who will really make a difference to the United States,” Guerra said.
Ballot counting will begin Tuesday night. The elections office in Salinas will close at 8 p.m.
Martinez says the elections office awaits any Monterey County ballots dropped off throughout the state to make their way back, and that processing will be happening over the next few days.
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