Surf City hits voter record

Kenneth Ma

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- A record number of Surf City residents are registered

to vote this year, and officials are citing a growing population and an

upcoming presidential election as reasons.

As of last week, 109,000 people were registered to vote, compared to a

total of 101,864 in 1998. Nearly 55% of the city’s population of 199,300

residents are eligible to cast a ballot Nov. 7, City Clerk Connie

Brockway said.

Orange County’s two largest cities, Santa Ana and Anaheim, have a smaller

percentage of registered voters. In Santa Ana, 24% of the residents are

registered to vote. In Anaheim, 36% of the residents are registered,

according to Orange County Registrar of Voters.

Forty-five percent of the residents in neighboring Costa Mesa are

registered to vote so far, according to the county agency.

“I think Huntington Beach residents tend to be politically active and

aware,” said Councilman Tom Harman, who is a candidate in the November

election to replace Assemblyman Scott Baugh (R-Huntington Beach). “I

think it is good for the overall democratic process to get as many

registered voters as we can.”

There have also been a number of controversial projects that have come

before the city, including Wal-Mart’s plan to build a store on the

grounds of the former Crest View school and a school bond measure --

issues Brockway believes might have spurred voter interest.

Harman said having a high number of registered voters gives city

officials more leverage when dealing with county and state officials.

On the local level, three council seats will be open this year, including

Harman’s. Councilwoman Pam Julien will be up for reelection this year,

and Councilman Dave Sullivan will leave the dais because of term limits.

Residents can register to vote at the city clerk’s office or mail in a

registration form, available at the Huntington Beach Central Library and

its branches.

For more information, call (800) 345-VOTE or visit https://www.ss.ca.gov.