SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - A higher percentage of eligible Californians is registered to vote in this presidential primary compared to four years ago, but fewer are embracing political parties.

      Figures released Friday by the secretary of state show that more than 17 million voting-age residents are registered to cast ballots in the June 5 primary. That's an increase of 1.1 million registered voters since 2008.

      More than 3.6 million - one in five - chose no party preference. The rate, 21.3 percent, is the highest ever of California voters unaffiliated with any political party.

      The figures show a continued decline in registered Republicans. Republicans now make up 30.3 percent of registered voters, down from nearly 33 percent before the last presidential primary.

      The percentage of those registered as Democrats remained unchanged at 43.5 percent.

      
      (Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)