Councilwoman Price spoke accompanied by Power Point slides supportive of lowering the voting age to 17 (text below). She noted that (as previously reported by LBREPORT.com, details below), Assemblyman Evan Low (D, Campbell) has introduced a proposed state constitutional amendment that, if placed on a statewide ballot by 2/3 votes of the Assembly and state Senate and approved by voters, would lower California's voting age statewide to 17.

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Among the Power Point slides presented by Committee chair Pearce:

• "Boost voter turnout: Engage one of the lowest voting demographics at a younger age to encourage best voting practices; Teach in schools; Allow students to attend their polling places if one is located at their campus; Allow students represented by School Board Members to have a direct voice as constituents. This will also cause an interest to represent those who are directly impacted by the election as opposed to purely donors and special interests"

• "Other Areas with Reduced Voting Age: Voting age of 16 (Municipal only) Hyattsville, Maryland, Takoma Park, Maryland; Voting age of 17 (Primaries and Caucuses): Alaska*, Conneticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa*, Kansas*, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota*, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota*, Ohio, Vermont, Virginia, Washington*, West Virginia" [unclear what the asterisks indicate]

• "Why? Record low turnout in 2014; ACA 10 would not take effect until after the 2018 election, which leaves a huge gap in time for a bill we aren’t even sure will pass. Fostering best practice of voting for those engaged in the political process AS WELL AS those who may not generally be interested in voting. This is achieved by educating those in school and allowing them to participate at the same time, walking through the process as a life skill rather than encouraging those to vote down the line."

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Committee chair Pearce said her Committee agenda item was to "put these matters on the record" and asked Committee members Andrews and Supernaw if they had any comments. They didn't and said nothing. There were no comments from members of the public (and the Council Chamber appeared to be basically empty for the 3 p.m. hour Committee meeting.)

A motion was made to receive and file the item, taking no immediate action on it...for now.

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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."

Developing.