Student Leaders Seek Governor's Signature on AB 30 (preregistration of 17 year olds to vote)

Sacramento, CA -- Diana Li, President of the California Association of Student Councils, along with student leaders from around the state, asked that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sign Assembly Bill 30, a bill to lower the voter registration age to 17, at a Capitol press conference yesterday. Following the press conference, Li and her fellow student leaders met with a legislative deputy to the Governor and presented a petition signed by students seeking support for the legislation. The Governor has until October 11 to either sign or veto the legislation.
 
"I support this bill not just as president of the California Association of Student Councils, but as a student and a young person interested in getting involved in the democratic process," said Li. "This bill will allow interested young people to ask their friends and fellow students to preregister."
 
AB 30 will benefit the state by providing uniformity and consistency in election administration. Under current law, some 17 year olds can preregister to vote-if they will turn 18 before the next election-but the rest cannot, creating confusion and inefficient implementation of voter registration laws. AB 30 also will encourage high schools to become more actively involved in youth engagement and civic education.
 
Representatives from AARP, the League of Women Voters, Common Cause and the New America Foundation joined the students for the press conference.
 
Pete Martineau, speaking on behalf of more than 3 million members of California AARP, said, "We want help registering more of our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to vote. Civic participation is essential for a healthy democracy, which is why we're asking the Governor to sign AB 30. This is legislation with multi-generational support."
 
Research shows that people who get involved in the electoral process at an earlier age are much more likely to become lifelong voters. Reseach also shows that preregisration in Florida has boosted voter registration and voter turnout of young people.
 
James Pollack, a senior at Burlingame High School, said, "18 is a transition age. It is important that we allow people to register at 17 so parents can support the tradition of civic engagement. Many young people, once they leave high school, won't register to vote for years. This is a simple and inexpensive method of increasing participation and engagement of young people."
 
Said Steven Hill, director of New America Foundation's Political Reform Program, "California's future leaders are asking to preregister to vote at 17, a step that eight other states already have taken, including Florida and Texas. It not only will streamline the voter registration process for young people, but research shows it will boost registration and voting. I hope the Governor is listening."

For media inquiries, please contact Elizabeth Wu at 510-295-9859 or wu@newamerica.net.

About the New America Foundation
The New America Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy institute that invests in new thinkers and new ideas to address the next generation of challenges facing the United States.

Learn More About: Steven Hill
Related Programs: New America in California, Political Reform Program, Universal Voter Registration
Topics: Political Reform