Yes on Expanded Voting Rights – Proposition 18

Opponents’ Opinions:

Biologically, seventeen-year-olds are still children. Their brains are not fully developed, specifically the prefrontal cortex involved in making logically sound decisions. Teenagers under 18 are not eligible to sign legal documents, and they still require parental consent for various activities and medical treatments. As high school students, they are likely to be heavily influenced by their teachers and peers, rather than forming their own opinions. Seventeen-year-olds, in general, have little life experience to give them the necessary perspective to vote on these issues. The voter turnout for 18-29 year olds is already so low that adding seventeen-year-olds will not make a significant difference; research also implies that young people are not interested in voting. The data supports voting “No” on Proposition 18. 

Opposing Parties Include… 

The Orange County Register Editorial Board, Mercury News and East Bay Times, The Desert Sun, Election Integrity Project California, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

Supporters Say:

Supporters claim that seventeen-year-olds deserve the right to vote in elections. After all, they already have to pay taxes — why shouldn’t they have a say in the system they help to pay for? By starting the voting process from a younger age, it will cause an increase in lifelong voter turnout and civic participation. When citizens are not allowed to vote in primaries, it discourages them from voting in general elections because they don’t have a say in who is on the ballot. While opponents of Proposition 18 argue that teenagers are too easily influenced by those around them, there is no guarantee that people will think for themselves more so when they turn eighteen. It is the logically sound and morally correct choice to vote “Yes” on Proposition 18 to allow seventeen-year-olds to vote in primary and special elections. 

Supporting Parties Include… 

Gavin Newsom, Evan Low, Kevin Mullin, Secretary of State Alex Padilla, California Democratic Party, ACLU of Southern California, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Los Angeles Times, The San Diego Union Tribune, The Bakersfield Californian, California Association of Student Councils

Historical Context & Background Information:

Proposition 18 would allow seventeen-year-olds to vote in primary and special elections if their eighteenth birthday falls before the next general election. To do this the California constitution would have to be amended. Currently, 17 states in the US allow for certain seventeen-year-olds to vote in primary elections. State lawmakers have considered this proposition six times before, but this is the first time that citizens have the chance to vote on it. It was passed by a two-thirds majority vote as a Constitutional amendment by the Legislature to be on your ballot. The 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution states, in Section One, that “The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.” In Section Two, it goes on to say that “The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” Proposition 18 does not violate this amendment according to The California Assembly Floor Analysis, who says that “Because the US Constitution only addresses abridging the right to vote and this measure expands voting rights there appears to be no conflict with the federal constitution.”

Fiscal Impact:

If this proposition were to be passed, the state would have a one-time cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars to extend these voting rights. Certain counties would be out more money due to the increase in voting materials they may need. The Proposition 18 campaign is largely funded by the Vote For Our Future PAC. Other donors include the California Nurses Association PAC, SEIU-UHW West (SEIU United Healthcare Workers West), Kevin Mullin for Assembly 2020, and the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters Political Action Fund. 

We Advise Voters to Vote Yes on Proposition 18.