BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
ACA
2 (Mullin)
As Introduced February 24, 2015
2/3 vote
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|Committee |Votes |Ayes |Noes |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|----------------+------+--------------------+--------------------|
|Elections |4-2 |Ridley-Thomas, |Travis Allen, Gatto |
| | |Gordon, Mullin, | |
| | |Perea | |
| | | | |
|----------------+------+--------------------+--------------------|
|Appropriations |12-5 |Gomez, Bonta, |Bigelow, Chang, |
| | |Calderon, Daly, |Gallagher, Jones, |
| | |Eggman, |Wagner |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | |Eduardo Garcia, | |
| | |Gordon, Holden, | |
| | |Quirk, Rendon, | |
| | |Weber, Wood | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY: Allows a person who is 17 years of age, and who will be
18 years old at the time of the next general election, to vote in
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any intervening primary or special election that occurs before the
next general election.
FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee:
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: According to the author, "California has one of the
lowest voter turnout rates in the nation, and young voters in
California have the lowest turnout rate of any age demographic.
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.
Additionally, studies show that voting is habit forming, meaning
that a person's first experience with voting is crucial, as it
could affect a person's future voting habits.
"This amendment would bring California up to date with the nearly
20 other states (Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska,
Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, Vermont, and
Washington) that permit any citizen who turns 18 by the date of
the general election to vote in interceding primaries or
caucuses."
The 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution prevents
states from "denying" suffrage to 18-year-olds, but does not
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prevent states from establishing a lower voting age.
ACA 7 (Mullin) of 2013-14 Regular Session, was substantially
similar to this measure but was held in the Assembly
Appropriations Committee.
ACA 2 (Furutani) of 2009-10 Regular Session, 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 2005-06 Regular Session, and ACA 25 (Mullin) of
2004, were both substantially similar to this measure. No vote
was taken on the Assembly Floor on ACA 17, and the measure died on
the Inactive File. ACA 25 failed passage on the Assembly Floor.
As a constitutional amendment, this measure requires the approval
of the voters to take effect. Legislation making statutory
changes necessary to implement this measure would also be
required.
Analysis Prepared by:
Lori Barber & Ethan Jones / E. & R. / (916)
319-2094
FN: 0000605
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