California - San Mateo County
Program Title
Embracing Equity and Inclusion in Elections
Program Summary
One of the greatest challenges faced by election jurisdictions throughout the United States is the underrepresentation of communities of color, youth, and persons with disabilities in the electoral process. Equal and equitable representation in elections by all members of our community is the foundation of our democracy.
San Mateo County was the first Election department in the state under the California Voter's Choice Act to establish Equity and Inclusion programs using Community Based Organizations as trusted messengers for reaching out to targeted communities, with the goal of increasing voter participation and turnout.
This program was a complete success. More than 16,000 social media contacts, 72,000 brochure handouts and 36,000 were directly contacted via phone or text. Approximately 95,000 persons were contacted through newsletters. Over 400,000 voters received informational postcards with 100,000 households receiving postcards in four languages.
This resulted in an impressive 10.2% increase in the turnout rate for Latinos and a 10.2% increase for Asian Americans during the 2018 Primary Election over the 2014 Primary Election. The 2018 General Election, Latinos and Asian Americans experienced a 22.3% increase and an 18.8% increase, respectively. The November 2020 General Election recorded a historic 86% voter turnout, the highest in 50 years.
San Mateo County was the first Election department in the state under the California Voter's Choice Act to establish Equity and Inclusion programs using Community Based Organizations as trusted messengers for reaching out to targeted communities, with the goal of increasing voter participation and turnout.
This program was a complete success. More than 16,000 social media contacts, 72,000 brochure handouts and 36,000 were directly contacted via phone or text. Approximately 95,000 persons were contacted through newsletters. Over 400,000 voters received informational postcards with 100,000 households receiving postcards in four languages.
This resulted in an impressive 10.2% increase in the turnout rate for Latinos and a 10.2% increase for Asian Americans during the 2018 Primary Election over the 2014 Primary Election. The 2018 General Election, Latinos and Asian Americans experienced a 22.3% increase and an 18.8% increase, respectively. The November 2020 General Election recorded a historic 86% voter turnout, the highest in 50 years.