Silicon Valley advocates push to increase voter turnout as March 5 primaries near

Voter turnout for California’s primary election is expected to be low statewide. But officials and advocates remain hopeful about Santa Clara County, as they make their final push to increase voter participation in marginalized communities.

The county Registrar of Voters is expecting 45 to 55 percent of the estimated 81.4 percent of registered county voters to cast their ballots in the March 5 primaries, which is a little lower than normal, according to spokesperson Michael Borja. The county has already received ballots from roughly 8.45 percent of voters, or approximately 88,954 mail-in ballots, as of Feb. 26 and will be opening more than 100 voting centers this weekend. The ballot includes federal, state and local races, as well as statewide measure Prop. 1 to build mental health treatment facilities and housing for the homeless.