Bill Proposed To Allow California Teens To Pre-Register To Vote
SACRAMENTO (KCBS) — A California state senator introduced a bill on Thursday that would 15-year-olds to pre-register to vote.
Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) introduced SB113 — a bill that would allow teenagers to become pre-registered voters starting at 15 when they go to the DMV to get their instructional permit or driver's license.
Since 1995, the Motor Voter Law has allowed voter registration for those 18 and older when applying for a driver's license.
KCBS' Jeffrey Schaub Reports:
"What studies have shown is that if young people are registered, they actually get out and vote, so I think this is an opportunity to have young people get really involved and invested in the system," Jackson said.
Already, six states – Florida, Hawaii and Rhode Island, North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware – and the District of Columbia allow pre-registration at the age of 16. Oregon allows pre-registration at the age of 17.
A 2009 study by George Mason University found the pre-registration programs in Hawaii and Florida has encouraged young people to start and stay in the voting process.
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