Voter registration increase could mean longer voting lines across California

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The California primary vote in June could see record lines, and come November the voter guide will be 100 pages longer than "The Great Gatsby."

Secretary of State Alex Padilla said he is working with local officials to make sure there are plenty of polling places open across California.

"Sometimes they consolidate multiple precincts into one location," he said. "When we're expecting a big turnout, we've got to do much less of that and make sure polling places are both convenient for voters and that we don't have the waits that we've seen happen in other states."

Padilla added there is a surge of registrations. In the past three months, more than 600,000 people have registered to vote or updated their registration.

In addition to longer lines, a long ballot will be coming in November with as many as two dozen ballot measures qualifying, making the voter information guide around 288 pages.

Residents can register to vote online through the DMV or the secretary of state's website. Padilla said for anyone who is worried about long lines or who can't vote on Election Day, they can always cast their ballot by mail.

"Every year, more and more people choose that option. In 2014, more than 60 percent of California voters voted by mail," Padilla said.

The deadline to register to vote for the primary election is May 23.