Right to vote for 16- and 17-year olds

In California it is possible to pre-register to vote at 16 and 17 years old, but not vote until you are 18. Why not give them the right to vote at 16?

As part of my Democracy Bill of Rights campaign, I support the right to vote for 16- and 17-year olds.

Young people already understand politics, it’s their future, and building the habit to vote when they are still in high school with their peers will help build voting habits for the rest of their lives – increasing the foundation of participation in our democracy.

Combine this with elections by proportional representation, where younger people can more easily run for office and get elected, and this will spur even greater turnout in the 29 and under group, which traditionally votes at lower rates.