BILL ANALYSIS
ACA 2
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
ACA 2 (Furutani)
As Amended
December 1, 2008
2/3 vote
ELECTIONS 5-2 APPROPRIATIONS 11-5
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|Ayes:|Fong, Coto, Mendoza, |Ayes:|De Leon, Ammiano, |
| |Saldana, Swanson | |Charles Calderon, Coto, |
| | | |Davis, |
| | | |Fuentes, Hall, Skinner, |
| | | |Solorio, Torlakson, Hill |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Niello, Bill Berryhill |Nays:|Conway, Harkey, Miller, |
| | | |Nielsen, |
| | | |Audra Strickland |
| | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY : Allows a person who is 17 years old and who will be 18
years old at the time of the next general election to register
and vote in that general election and in any intervening primary
or special election that occurs after the person registers to
vote.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Requires an elector to be at least 18 years old in order to
vote in any local, state, or federal election.
2)Allows a person that will be 18 years old at the time of the
next election to register to vote.
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
ACA 2
Page 2
in the range of $100,000.
COMMENTS : According to the author, "the 2008 general election
demonstrated that the growing demographic of young voters are
coming out and participating in larger numbers. Young people
(ages 18-29) represented 18% of total voters in this past
November's election. This is a good display of youth
empowerment, but we can do better. ACA 2 will allow more
California youth to participate in the full scope of the
electoral process as soon as legally possible. ACA 2 will help
increase the turnout among young voters because it empowers and
encourages the growing demographic of young voters to
participate and come out and vote.
"This amendment will allow for registered 17-year-olds who will
be 18 by the time of the general election the right to vote in
corresponding primary and special elections. Under current law,
17-year-olds who will be 18 by the general election for which
they qualify to vote are allowed to register to vote. This bill
would simply allow these young voters to exercise their right to
vote in the primary election-allowing them to help decide the
nominees who will appear on the general election ballot."
The Twenty Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution
states, "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." Additionally, Article II, Section 2 of the California
Constitution states, "A United States citizen 18 years of age
and resident in this State may vote." Because the U.S.
Constitution only addresses abridging the right to vote and this
measure expands voting rights there appears to be no conflict
with the federal constitution. In an opinion dated April 12,
2004, the Legislative Counsel opined that an amendment to the
California Constitution to permit a person under the age of 18
to vote would not violate federal law.
As a constitutional amendment, this measure requires the
approval of voters to take effect.
Analysis Prepared by : Qiana Charles / E. & R. / (916)
319-2094
ACA 2
Page 3
FN: 0002629