BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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Date of Hearing: May 13, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
ACA
2 (Mullin) - As Introduced February 24, 2015
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Urgency: State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This measure proposes to amend the State Constitution to allow a
citizen who is 17-years-old, but will be 18 at the time of the
next general election, to register and vote in that election and
any intervening primary or special election.
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FISCAL EFFECT:
1)One-time General Fund costs of about $220,000 to include an
analysis of the measure, and arguments for and against the
measure, in the statewide voter pamphlet.
2)County election officials would incur minor one-time costs to
reprogram computer systems. Statewide costs would probably be
in the range of $100,000.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. According to the author, "Young voters have the
lowest turnout rate of any age demographic in California. For
most young adults, their first contact with the political
process is in high school through the mandated government
class during their senior year or through volunteering on
campaigns for community service credit. This is the time to
give them ownership in the process by getting them to vote in
primaries while they still have a connection to their school
and community."
2)Other States. According to information provided by the
author's office, the following states have enacted legislation
or passed initiatives to allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary
elections: Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi,
Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont,
Virginia and Washington.
3)Prior Legislation. AB 30 (Price), Chapter 364, Statutes of
2009, allows a person who is 17 years of age to pre-register
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to vote, provided he or she would otherwise meet all
eligibility requirements.
SB 113 (Jackson), Chapter 619, Statutes of 2014, expands
pre-registration by authorizing a 16-year-old to pre-register
to vote once pre-registration is in effect, provided he or she
meets all other eligibility requirements.
ACA 7 (Mullin) of 2013, which was substantially similar to
this measure, was held on this committee's Suspense file.
ACA 2 (Furutani) of 2009, was substantially similar to this
measure. No vote was taken on the Assembly Floor and the
measure died on the Inactive File.
ACA 17 (Mullin) of 2005 and ACA 25 (Mullin) of 2004, were both
substantially similar to this measure. For ACA 17 no vote was
taken on the Assembly Floor and ACA 25 failed passage on the
Assembly Floor.
Analysis Prepared by:Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916)
319-2081
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