Title
a. Receive a report on research related to Board Referral 2018.25 issued by Supervisor Alejo and then Supervisor Simon Salinas on October 18, 2018, to place a ballot measure on the November 2020 General Election to Expand Suffrage to Citizens of 16 & 17 Years of Age in Local Elections in Monterey County; and
b. Support the Monterey County Elections Department in expanding outreach and civic engagement opportunities to the youth of Monterey County; and
c. Consider a recommendation by the Legislative Committee to support ACA 4 (Mullin) Elections: voting age; and ACA 8 (Low) Elections: voter qualifications; and
d. Consider adoption of a Resolution supporting the concept of lowering the legal voting age in California to 16 in partial response to the Board Referral.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a report on research related to Board Referral 2018.25 issued by Supervisor Alejo and then Supervisor Simon Salinas on October 18, 2018, to place a ballot measure on the November 2020 General Election to Expand Suffrage to Citizens of 16 & 17 Years of Age in Local Elections in Monterey County; and
b. Support the Monterey County Elections Department in expanding outreach and civic engagement opportunities to the youth of Monterey County; and
c. Consider a recommendation by the Legislative Committee to support ACA 4 (Mullin) Elections: voting age; and ACA 8 (Low) Elections: voter qualifications; and
d. Consider adoption of a Resolution supporting the concept of lowering the legal voting age in California to 16 in partial response to the Board Referral.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Elections Department received a referral to research the concept of lowering the voting age to 16 or 17-years of age, in local elections only. This report discusses the history of lowering the voting age, the legality of lowering the voting age and implementation issues involved if the voting age was lowered.
In regard to this issue, the...
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