The Irvine Democracy Project: Vote 2008 Campaign Successfully Increases Voter Registration and Participation
As part of the adopted Irvine Democracy Project: Vote 2008 campaign, the City of Irvine and the Orange County Registrar of Voters partnered to provide residents with information regarding the three elections in 2008: the Presidential Primary in February, the Primary Election for all other candidates in June, and the General Election in November.
Voter registration increased 14 percent since the campaign’s inception. Overall, voter registration increased a total of 17 percent since the November 7, 2006 General Municipal Election.
Voter turnout in the City of Irvine in the November 4, 2008 General Municipal Election was 77 percent compared to a 73 percent voter turnout County-wide. Furthermore, voter turnout in the November 7, 2006 General Municipal Election was 49 percent.
Democracy Needs Participation
There were three opportunities for voters to exercise their right to vote in 2008. The first two elections held in February and June were Statewide Primary Elections. February was dedicated solely to presidential candidates, while candidates running for county and state races appeared on the June ballot. In addition, the Irvine City Council called a Special City Election and placed Measure H, the Irvine City Council Ethical Public Service Ordinance No. 08-03 on the June 3, 2008 ballot. Measure H was overwhelmingly approved by the voters. Click here to learn more about Measure H.
The General Municipal Election on November 4, 2008 contained the local City Council/Mayoral race as well as two measures to vote on. Measures "R" and "S" were both overwhelmingly passed by voters.
Measure "R" ratifies and implements policies relating to the Orange County Great Park Project. (Click here to learn more about Measure R) Measure "S", relates to the privacy of individuals’ personal information. (Click here to learn more about Measure S)
Information about each measure can be obtained by contacting the City Clerk's Office at (949)724-6205. If you are not already registered to vote, please do so and make your voice be heard in the next election.
Early Voting / Vote-By-Mail
The City of Irvine encourages residents to consider early voting and vote-by-mail. The Irvine Civic Center and the University of California Irvine are traditionally designated as early voting sites for most elections. All Orange County residents are invited to bring their sample ballots to any early voting site in the county. Locations are posted on the Orange County Registrar of Voters’ website at http://www.ocvote.com/ prior to the scheduled election.
How Do I Get Involved?
Register to vote!
Voter registration forms are available at all public libraries, community centers and City Hall. To receive a registration form by mail, please call the Orange County Registrar of Voters office at (714) 567-7600 or the City Clerk’s office at (949) 724-6205. Completed registration forms can be hand-delivered to the Registrar’s office, located at 1300 S. Grand Ave, Santa Ana or Irvine City Hall, located at One Civic Center Plaza; or dropped off in any U.S. mailbox. No postage is necessary.
To register online, visit www.ocvote.com/vote/howtoregister.htm. After completing the online registration form, you will be mailed a paper form to sign and return.
How to Become a Poll Worker
The Orange County Registrar of Voters is always seeking volunteers to staff each polling place on Election Day. For information on how to become a poll worker, visit www.ocvote.com/volunteer. Poll workers receive a stipend for their time.
For additional election information, you may contact the Orange County Registrar of Voters office at (714) 567-7600 or http://www.ocvote.com. You may also contact the City Clerk’s office at (949) 724-6205.
