Webmaster's note: For a few weeks in 1987 — between the cityhood vote (Nov. 3) and the first formal City Council meeting (Dec. 15) — the City of Santa Clarita Formation Committee led a voter registration drive because the state was funding new cities on the basis of population, which was extrapolated from voter registration figures. This press release was drafted by a consultant in Santa Barbara.

City of Santa Clarita
19425-B Soledad Canyon Road, Suite 182
Canyon Country, CA 91351
(805 259-CITY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 1987
Contact: Connie Worden
805/259-7485

City Formation Committee Kicks Off Voter Registration Program to Get More Funds From State

Santa Clarita, CA — The city of Santa Clarita Formation Committee kicked off an aggressive voter registration program this week. They announced that their goal is to register 5,000 new voters by December 15th.

"If we can register just 5,000 of the more than 30,000 unregistered eligible voters in Santa Clarita our new city will receive an additional $2,000,000 from the state between now and 1990," stated Counciman ______. "That's money our city will not get unless 5,000 more people register to vote."

According to a new state law passed in January of 1987, new cities receive funds from the state based on the number of registered voters. The state multiplies the number of registered voters times three and that's how they determine the population.

In turn, the state then returns a percentage of tax dollars collected from sales tax, vehicle registration and other taxes and fees to the city based on this population figure.

"Each voter is worth $143.25 per year for three years or $432 until the 1990 census," added Councilwoman elect ______. "These new funds will help our city provide better services and improve our roads at the lowest tax level possible. Unless people register, we'll lose these funds forever."

The committee kicked off the voter registration program this week with an advertisement in The Signal stating "Your Name is Worth $432.00." And according to Connie Worden, Vice Chairman of the City Formation Committee, the response has been great. "We have received a large number of phone calls from people wanting us to help them register to vote."

In addition to the newspaper ad, the City of Santa Clarita Formation Committee will be walking door-to-door and registering voters at local shopping centers, colleges and even the high schools. "We will also be advertising on cable television and local radio stations during the next two weeks," added Ms. Worden.

"Anyone who will be 18 years old by Tuesday, June 1st, 1988 is eligible to register to vote and will count as a bona fide voter when the state tallies the total number of voters on December 15th. Therefore even 17 year old high school students can help our new city," added Ms. Worden.

Volunteers are needed to work at tables and to walk door-to-door. "Anyone can help by just calling our office at 259-2489," Ms. Worden stated.