The Central Coast’s eligible voters were more diverse than the region’s actual voters in 2021. In 2021, people of color made up 41 percent of citizens old enough to vote, but in the 2020 election they were only 31 percent of people who actually cast ballots. White residents made up 59 percent of the eligible voting population but 69 percent of actual voters.

The ten percentage point gap between eligibility and participation means some communities vote at higher rates than others. Who is eligible to vote does not determine who shows up to vote.

Insights & Analyses: Central Coast

• About 41% of citizens 18 years and over were people of color in 2021.