Resolutions

Amend Voting Age In California To 17 Years

WHEREAS: The current California voting age is 18 and state law requires first graders be 6 by the December 2 cut-off date, and this does not allow the many young people to vote who are 17 and who serve our country in the military and have recently graduated from high school completing civics and government classes that give them more than enough information to make mature decisions in elections; and

WHEREAS: As a result of that action, many young people are not inclined to ever register to vote because they may have lost interest in the process; and

WHEREAS: In 13 other states (Arizona, Maryland, Virginia, etc.) that have lowered the voting age to 17, the youth voter turnout has greatly increased

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party declares that it supports lowering the voting age to 17

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party urges the California Assembly and Senate to immediately amend the Constitution to lower the voting age to 17 in California, and to encourage full youth participation in conventions, caucuses, committees and other meetings and events in our Party.

Submitted by Natasha and Alexandar Hull-Richter
68th Assembly District Committee; West Orange County Demo Club

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Adopted by the California Democratic Party
At Its Executive Board Meeting
Radisson Hotel, Sacramento
July 31, 2005

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