Almost 18M register to vote in time for California primary

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- State officials said nearly 18 million people registered to vote in California for Tuesday's primary election.

Within the last two months, about 650,000 new voters registered and bolstered the statewide total. Registration increased in the Democratic, Republican and no party preference groups.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. For those who cannot make it to their assigned polling place, they can still vote by provisional ballot at any location.

This year, experts predict about two-thirds of voters will cast ballots by mail.

Even voters who had been registered for years came out to their local polling place to vote for the first time.

"I registered when I was 18. This is the first time I'm voting, and I'm 32. I don't want Trump to be president so I'm going to do whatever I can," Cynthia Ochoa said.

While there could be a record voter turnout, voting officials said they aren't doing anything special because every year volunteers are prepared for high-voter turnout.

On Monday night, Hillary Clinton captured commitments from the number of delegates needed to become the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. She will also be the first woman to ever top a major party ticket.

But nothing is set in stone as super delegates can change their mind. Sen. Bernie Sanders said he would continue to fight for the nomination despite Clinton reaching the required number.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi endorsed Clinton early Tuesday morning, but did say Sanders would be a constructive force for 2016.

To find your polling place, go to sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place. You can also check lavote.net/locator for places within Los Angeles County.