On April 2, the California State Senate Elections Committee passed SB 113, which would expand eligibility for the state’s pre-registration roster. Current California law lets 17-year-olds complete a voter registration card, which is filed in the pre-registration roster. When the individual attains age 18, he or she is automatically placed on the regular voter registration roll.
The bill would expand the procedure to include individuals who are least 15 years old. Several other states have pre-registration procedures, but no state allows anyone to be placed on the rolls as early as 15 years. The vote in the Committee was 4-1.
How about age ZERO — put an x signature with a crayon ???
What is the point of this? Okay, I can understand having a pre-registration roster for 17-year-olds. But to lower it to 15 years of age? Is there any logic in this? It seems like a waste of time, money, and resources and to be an exercise in futility.
The claim is made that the students will become more politically engaged (there is a similar bill in Washington that would pre-register voters when they get their drivers licenses).
At that age, children are beginning to separate from their parents, and would likely be susceptible to peer pressure and influence of school teachers.