Atkins Says Low Voter Turnout Led To Democrats Losing Seats In State Legislature

Republicans appear to have broken the Democrats' supermajorities in both chambers of the California Legislature.

Incoming Assembly Republican leader Kristen Olsen says new Republican seats show voters have been frustrated with the status quo.

“In some level, Californians believe in checks and balances," says Olsen. "They don’t think it’s healthy to have Democrats with supermajorities in the Senate, Assembly and holding every constitutional office."

Democratic Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins says voter turn-out was what led to the loss of their party seats.

“The lowest percentage every you could imagine, even out modeling of what we thought would be the floor was even more disappointing in a couple of districts.”

Atkins says historically the Democratic party doesn’t do as well during mid-term elections, but the party still maintains a strong majority. ]