Are you 16 years old? Register to Vote!
Have you registered to vote? In California, you can register at the age of 16 (SB 113 in 2014) but cannot vote until the age of 18. In the US, 20 states and Washington, D.C., permit preregistration beginning at 16 years old and include Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia and Washington. For the registration to become effective, the voter shall provide the current information to the proper county elections official when one is 18 and ready to vote.
The idea of lowering the voting age to 16 and 17-year-olds has been debated in various regions, including California. Proponents argue that young people are politically aware and deserve a voice in decisions shaping their future.
Increased Civic Engagement: Advocates believe that lowering the voting age can engage young people early in democratic processes, potentially fostering lifelong participation in politics. Countries such as Austria, Scotland, and Brazil have already lowered the voting age to 16 with positive outcomes. In addition, youth can be informed and responsible enough to vote, especially since they are already making significant decisions, like driving automobiles.
Stake in Key Issues: Many argue that teenagers are directly affected by laws on education, climate policy, and social issues, and should have more of a voice in these issues. In California, youth activism has been a driving force behind movements such as climate strikes and gun reform.
Democratic Representation: Supporters point out that 16 and 17-year-olds can work, drive, pay taxes, sometimes be tried as adults in courts, and are affected by many laws but have no voice in electing representatives.
Critics, however, express concerns about maturity, political knowledge, and susceptibility to external influence.
Maturity and Judgment: Opponents argue that teenagers may still need to gain the maturity or life experience to make informed political decisions. Critics suggest that 16-year-olds are still developing critical thinking skills and may be more prone to peer pressure or influence from adults. There's also the argument that voting should align with adult responsibilities beginning at 18, like military service or signing contracts.
Civic Knowledge: Some state that the focus should be on improving school civic education before lowering the voting age. Data shows that many young people need a deeper understanding of government structures, policies, and candidates. This is a direct result US spending $50 per student on STEM and only $0.05 per student on civics education annually.
Practical Challenges: There are logistical concerns about how lowering the voting age would be implemented, such as the need to update voter registration systems, and potentially accommodating first-time teenage voters at polling stations. These can be remedied without difficulty.
Various proposals have been introduced in California to lower the voting age for certain local elections. For example, Proposition 18, which appeared on the California ballot in November 2020, was a constitutional amendment that sought to allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections if they would turn 18 by the next general election. Proposed by then California Speaker pro Tem and now U.S. Congressman Kevin Mullin, the idea was to give younger voters a chance to have an early say in the full election process if they would be of legal voting age by the time of the general election. Unfortunately, Proposition 18 was rejected by voters, with approximately 55% voting against the measure. San Francisco's 2020 Proposition G, which would have allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in city elections, narrowly failed but showed strong support for the idea.
Though it failed, the debate on lowering the voting age continues in California and beyond, with some pushing for more inclusive civic participation for younger voters. The CAYC advocates for educating youth and enabling 16 and 17 year olds to vote! To learn how to register as early as 16, please see the tab on the CAYC website. There is also information for college students to vote properly. Make your vote count!
Image credit: Movement Advancement Project