Senate Bill seeks To Pre Register Voters at 15 years old

[Ayatollahgondola]

Not too hard to see where this one is headed, and who it will help politically. Under current law, a 17 year old can register if they are going to be old enough to vote on or before the next election. This bill would allow 15 year olds to register to vote, although they couldn't actually vote until they're 18.

BILL NUMBER: SB 113 INTRODUCED
BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY Senator Jackson
(Principal coauthor: Senator Calderon)
(Coauthor: Senator Price)

JANUARY 15, 2013

An act to amend and repeal Sections 2102, 2106, 2150, and 2205 of
the Elections Code, relating to elections.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 113, as introduced, Jackson. Elections: voter registration.
Existing law authorizes a person who is at least 17 years of age
and otherwise meets all voter eligibility requirements to submit his
or her affidavit of registration. The affidavit of registration is
deemed effective as of the date the affiant will be 18 years of age.
These provisions become operative when the Secretary of State
certifies that the state has a statewide voter registration database
that complies with the requirements of the federal Help America Vote
Act of 2002.
This bill would lower the minimum age for purposes of submitting
an affidavit of registration pursuant to these provisions to 15 years
of age. The bill also would make conforming changes to existing law.
The bill would provide, notwithstanding the contingency described
above, that its provisions shall become operative on January 1, 2014.

By requiring local elections officials to process voter
registrations submitted by persons 15 years of age or older, the bill
would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.