Bill To Lower Voting Age To 14 Passes Senate Committee

VacavilleNews.com ^ | 2:02 am PT, Friday, May 7, 2004 | Bay City News Service

[musical_airman]

A bill designed to get youth more involved in the elections process passed the state Senate Committee on Elections and Reappointment on Wednesday.

SB 1606 by Sen. John Vasconcellos, D-San Jose, would lower the state's legal voting age to 14. The catch is that it would take four 14 or 15 year olds to make up a whole vote. The proposed constitutional amendment would give 14- and 15-year-olds 1/4 of a full vote, while 16- and 17-year-olds would get 1/2 a full vote.

Vasconcellos dubbed his bill 'Training Wheels for Citizenship,' and says it is designed to encourage early and regular voter participation among young Californians by affording them a real live stake in the political process.

'It is so sad that so many of our young people today are deserting our voting ranks in ever larger numbers,' Vasconcellos said.

'They are simply not feeling engaged enough to attract them into the regular practice and habit of voting, to participate in their own self-determination. And self-determination is the glory and thrill of our American way of government, and of life itself.'

While the legislation has received support from the National Youth Rights Association, opponents fear that granting only fractions of votes to under-18 voters could constitute a violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.

In addition, concerns have risen about the logistics involved in conducting and administering an election incorporating fractionalized votes.

The increase of ballots for the three separate age categories, as well as costs associated with development, certification, procurement and installation of vote counting software to accurately apportion the votes cast is a large part of implementing the bill. Further training and added responsibilities for already overburdened poll workers is the other part, opponents say.

Statistics have shown that voter turnout among those in the 18-25 age group is the lowest of any age demographic, signaling a problem that Vasconcellos says will only be magnified in the years to come.

The senator believes that if young citizens are given the responsibility of voting and introduced to it in a graduated, apprentice-like manner, they will be more likely to participate in the political process. His supporters agree.

'What Senator Vasconcellos is doing will empower youth in California and will inspire youth across the country,' said National Youth Rights Association President Alex Kroknay-Palixz.

'It's great that the senator realizes that young people have political opinions and deserve political representation.'

The Committee on Elections and Reappointment approved the bill Wednesday and referred to the Senate Rules Committee.

[musical_airman]

Really, you must be joking. This is so amazingly stupid I just thought I had to post it. Laugh it up. Or, be mad. Or, both. Maybe Kalifornia will fall off one day......

[TheLurkerX]

I read about this awhile back. I never dreamed it would pass this far. I'm convinced California is going to collapse under the weight of its own stupidity and serve as a wakeup call for the rest of the country.

[GAGOPSWEEPTOVICTORY]

What happened to the maxim "one person one vote?" Wouldn't this just fly in the face of the Equal Protection Clause if they start granting quarter and half suffrage, resulting in equal suffrage for all 14-17 year olds and more Demonrat votes as a result?

This is as asinine as the old 3/5ths rule for slaves in prior to the Civil War.

[Brad’s Gramma]

BTTT to take action Monday. John & Ken will LOVE this!

[Nonstatist]

Dogs should get 1/8 of a vote, and cats 1/12th.

In addition, birds should get 1/16th of a vote, rabbits 1/20th and snail darters 1/32nd of a vote. Subject to Senate approval, of course.

[CzarNicky]

If they haven't learned at 18 that voting is an important responsibility they certainly won't learn it at 14.

[rogueleader]

From now on, whenever I meet anyone from California, I will laugh at him.

WHAT AN IDIOT STATE!

[musical_airman]

I'm sure they will collapse under the weight of their own stupidity. But I'm also sure that if this gets any further, that Schwarzenegger will veto it, and that the rest of the country will be laughing at them for even considering it. Except for the libs, of course.

[LdSentinal]

Oh no. Now the Olsen twins will be able to vote.

[GAGOPSWEEPTOVICTORY]

Dogs should get 1/8 of a vote, and cats 1/12th.

In addition, birds should get 1/16th of a vote, rabbits 1/20th and snail darters 1/32nd of a vote. Subject to Senate approval, of course.

What percent of a vote would dead people get under your scheme? Whoops... Dims already make sure they vote early, often, and Democrat.

[South40]

"I would so vote if I could. It would be cool," says Tommy Arbor, wearing a beak cap sideways to shield his eyes from afternoon sun.

"I would be so clueless," says his opponent, who calls himself simply "Shags" and wears a SpongeBob SquarePants T-shirt. "School bonds, budgets, taxes ... what do I know about that stuff?"

Shags isn't the only one who's clueless, so is the California leftistlature.

It'll never happen.

Link

[MitchellC]

Great, 14.

This is Avril Lavigne's chance to take power.

[musical_airman]

It took you this long to start laughing at Kalifornians? I would encourage you to do it, and enjoy it!

[GAGOPSWEEPTOVICTORY]

This is Avril Lavigne's chance to take power.

Avril's Canadian. Not that a silly thing like citizenship has ever stopped the Dims before.

[Politicalmom]

At least he is smart enough to KNOW he is too ignorant to vote. He is one up on most leftists already!! : )

[musical_airman]

It's so obvious that it is merely a way of taking advantage of the ignorant, isn't it?

[Dan from Michigan]

I oppose this.

If minors can't sign contracts without parental permission, choose if they can go to school or not, own a gun, or fight for their country, then they shouldn't be voting.

If he wants to empower youth, make 14 the age of adulthood - and all the rights and responsibilites to go with it.

[Dan from Michigan]

And what in the Blue hell is this 1/8 of a vote crap? Is that like the 3/5's compromise?

[fso301]

Sure would benefit the party whose constituants have higher birthrates.

[Salman]

Raise the driving age to 30 and the voting age to 40. Less death on the highway and less liberalism.