What:

Could this election bring record voter turnout for California? How will recent election reforms impact voter turnout in the upcoming 2016 elections? Mindy Romero, founder and director of the California Civic Engagement Project, or CCEP, at the UC Davis Center for Regional Change, will present new research on recent California election reforms. This research examines the recent surge in online voter registration in the state, vote-by-mail use and the potential effect of possible new reforms on California's historically low national ranking in voter turnout. 

Who:

Mindy Romero, a political sociologist who holds a doctoral degree in sociology from UC Davis

When: 

Noon Friday, May 20

Where:

California State Capitol, Room 127

Background:

Romero’s scholarly work focuses on the intersection of political behavior and race/ethnicity. Romero has been invited to speak about civic engagement and political rights in numerous venues, and has recently testified for the National Commission on Voting Rights and the California Legislature. Her research has been cited in numerous major news outlets, including the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Politico and the Huffington Post. A native of California’s Central Valley, Romero is also active in community leadership.  She currently serves as president of the Board of Mutual Housing California, and is the vice chair of the Social Service Commission for the city of Davis.