Josh Roten could help California set a voter turnout record in today's statewide primary election — by doing absolutely nothing.
Only one of every three voters is expected to cast a ballot, which would make turnout the lowest in history for a gubernatorial primary, according to a Field Poll released Monday.
Roten said he cares about today's election results, but not enough to vote.
"I don't think it's a waste of time, but I've got too much going on in my life right now — I'm just trying to survive," Roten, 25, said Monday about his plans to sit it out.
Today's voting also could mark the first gubernatorial primary in which more Californians cast absentee or mail ballots than vote at neighborhood precincts, poll director Mark DiCamillo said.
The fate of five statewide propositions and party nominees in dozens of races will be decided today, including a wild GOP gubernatorial primary in which Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner cumulatively spent about $100 million in campaigning, and three U.S. Senate candidates battled for the right to replace U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer.
But Democrats have little to motivate turnout at the top of the ticket, with former Gov. Jerry Brown and Boxer expected to easily win their party's nomination.
"Historically, this is kind of the continuation of a long-term trend," said DiCamillo. "But this will be, in our opinion, the all-time low for a gubernatorial primary."
Lori Sinclair, 50, said she consistently has voted since the year she turned 18 — and she'll continue that streak today.
"You can't really complain about government if you don't take part in it," she said.
Jose Sanchez, 39, said he is not registered to vote and does not expect today's final tally to make much difference in his life.
"I don't believe in politics," he said.
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