“I started off in Fresno at a naturalization ceremony,” said Padilla in his first term as Secretary of State. “I visited Visalia today to talk to some high school students about registering and voting. We came to Lemoore earlier to visit West Hills Community College to talk to community college students about registering and voting.
“We’re going to have an exciting June Primary, and of course the November General (election) where we’ll be electing a new president, and I’ll be supporting positions and issues down the Valley, and that’s why we’re here.”
Wlaschin was honored for her tireless work promoting the local Democrat Central Committee and Blue Wave Democrat Club.
In remarks to the Democrats, Padilla expounded on his efforts to increase voter participation by convincing state legislators to approve the new Motor Voter Law.
The new voter registration law is intended to streamline the process of signing up to vote and encourage more participation in elections.
When people go to the DMV to obtain or renew a driver's license, or to get a state identification card, they’ll be asked for the usual information in such transactions, such as their name, date of birth and address.
They’ll also be asked to affirm their eligibility to vote and will be given the choice of opting out or registering at that time. Information about anyone who does not decline registration will be electronically transmitted from the DMV to the Secretary of State’s Office, where citizenship will be verified and names will be added to the voter rolls.
Padilla insists that the new law will increase California’s weak turnout. In 2014, voter turnout was just 42 percent, which means 58 percent of those eligible to vote, didn’t.
“If we make it easier to participate in elections, we will have a better turnout,” said Padilla. “It will be good for our state.”
Padilla also received a “Progressive Advancement Award” from the Kings County Blue Wave Club.