California had highest voter turnout since 1998 in primary election

The results from June's California primary show that the state had the highest percentage of voter turnout in a primary election since 1998, reports the Associated Press.

The big picture: "California typically ranks in the bottom fourth of states in turnout," per the AP. The numbers from the primary won't change that, but it is a step forward for the state after recent struggles.

By the numbers: Mindy Romero, the director of the California Civic Engagement Project at the University of Southern California, told the AP that high profile contests for governor and U.S. Senate seats contributed to the participation increase.

• More than 37% of registered voters voted in the primary.
• That number was just 25% in 2014, per the Public Policy Institute of California.
• This year's June turnout was closer to both the 2006 and 2010 primaries where turnout was at 33%.