DANA POINT

The City Council tonight will look for ways to increase voter registration and participation before this year’s elections. Voter turnout has steadily declined statewide over the past 40 years, according to a city report. There are roughly 20,100 registered voters in Dana Point, of which about 12,400 voted in the November 1998 election, the report stated. Two proposals are from the communications firm of Forde and Mollrich. One plan would encourage unregistered voters to participate by mailing registration information to their homes. The proposal also includes three direct-mail reminders sent to the homes of registered voters, plus a follow-up call the day of the March election encouraging them to vote. The cost for conducting the voter registration and voter turnout drives for the March and November elections is roughly $104,300, the report stated. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Dana Point City Hall, 33282 Street of the Golden Lantern.