As California’s population has grown the voting rolls have not kept pace. That’s the finding of a recent survey by the Public Policy Institute of California. Research Director Mark Baldassare (ball-duh-SAHR-ee) says if current non-voters turned up at the polls they could make a real difference in state policy—not to mention the race between Governor Schwarzenegger and Democratic Challenger Phil Angelides. 
  
        “The Governor’s race showed the Governor thirteen points ahead among likely voters.  Among all adults?  The Governor’s lead is only five points.”
 
            The survey found the vast majority of voters is over 45, is white and owns homes. 76-percent of non-voters are younger than 45.  They’re also mostly non-white and rent.  Baldassare says preferences among non-voters include higher taxes to pay for more government services— which has far less support among likely voters.   

The survey examined the state’s electorate from 1990 through May of this year.