GOP Voters Far Outnumbered by Democrats In San Diego; Independents in 2nd Place

When it comes to voter registration, San Diego is once again far more "blue" than red" in this election cycle.

And now, even independent voters outnumber Republicans.

It's technically a non-partisan race.

Only two Democrats have served as mayor in the last 50 years, none since 1992.

Now, final voter registration numbers are out, and Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 3-to-2 margin in the city of San Diego, with just over 40 percent to 27 percent.

So it would seem that Democrat Bob Filner may have an advantage, if only on paper, against Republican Carl DeMaio.

And independent San Diego voters, listed as “no party preference”, hold a registration edge of about four tenths of a percent over Republicans.

Greater access to the process is being cited as a cause.

“Most of this is a reflection of the online registration,” says Jess Durfee, chairman of the San Diego County Democratic Party. “That's why we saw such as shift in the last month."

When it comes to absentee or early voting, Democrats have cast 18 percent more ballots than Republicans, but trail them as a percentage of registration totals.

As for how independent voters might break, says Durfee: "Generally, 'no party preference' voters vote much like their neighbors do. And we know, in the city of San Diego, there are vastly more Democrats than there are Republicans. So I think we're 'good news' on those fronts for the Democrats for Bob Filner in this election."

In response, Tony Krvaric, chairman of the Republican Party of San Diego County says: "Registration numbers are what they are. I wish there were more Republicans and so forth, but we're going to reach out to the voters and get them to vote."

Republicans tout an astronomical lead over the Democrats in Facebook followers.

Krvaric says the GOP’s candidate, Carl DeMaio, is well-positioned because the mayor's race is less about Democrats versus Republicans than it is "Reform versus Status Quo".

"You have Big Labor and Big Business in one corner, who both have the power to influence City Hall,” he explained, “You have small business, ordinary taxpayers and neighborhoods, which do not have a voice at City Hall. That is really the dynamic that's being set up here."

Meantime, in voter registration countywide, the Democrats hold a very narrow plurality over the GOP, 35 percent to 34 percent for the Republicans.

Independents weigh in at 25 percent, and minor parties, the rest.

Nearly one in five county voters requested mail ballots.

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