As of dawn March 13, there's no transparency on the Committee agendized item: no backup material for the public online, no details on the item's substance; and no indication who or what advocacy group(s) will deliver the Council committee presentation...leaving these matters to speculation.

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The LB Council Committee's agenda item comes as a number of Sacramento Democrats have joined in proposing a state Constitutional Amendment (ACA 10) that would lower CA's statewide voting age from 18 to 17. The measure (principal author is Assemblyman Evan Low (D, Campbell), joined by co-authors Assemblymembers Mullin, Berman, Calderon and Chen with Senate co-author Stern) would require 2/3 approval by the Assembly and state Senate -- which now both have 2/3 Dem majorities after CA's November elections -- to put it on the 2018 ballot where CA voters (over 18) would decide.

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In a release, Assemblyman Low states: "Our country was founded on resisting taxation without representation, and yet every election cycle, teenagers face this centuries-old disenfranchisement...Young people are our future. Lowering the voting age will help give them a voice in the democratic process and instill a lifelong habit of voting." His release text states in part that "many 18 year olds are usually in a time of transition -- graduating from high school, going to college, or getting a job. Lowering the voting age to 17 will catch youth at a time when they are still connected to their school, their home, and their community."

Assemblyman Low's release says eleven states, including CA, currently let 17 year olds preregister to vote, and says 22 states and the District of Columbia allow 17 year olds to vote in primary elections or party caucuses if the voter will turn 18 before the election.

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In addition, primary voting at age 17 is among the projects of "Fair Vote," based in a Washington, D.C. suburb, whose current and past funding sources include the "Open Society Foundations" founded and board chaired by George Soros.) "Fair Vote" advocates on its website pages "that states and political parties act to allow citizens who will be 18 years old on or before the general election to vote in their party’s corresponding primary or caucus. A notable portion of citizens who have the right to vote in the general election in November currently do not have a voice in determining who will be on that general election ballot. Granting voting rights in primaries and caucuses to these 17-year-olds is only fair and will increase their political engagement through participation. Policymakers can implement this reform by state law or party rule."

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The LB Council's Election Oversight Committee's March 14 meeting is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at LB City Hall (333 W. Ocean Blvd.)

Developing.

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