A proposed amendment to California's constitution would give 16-year-olds a half-vote and 14-year-olds a quarter-vote in state elections.
State Sen. John Vasconcellos, among four lawmakers to propose the idea on Monday, said the Internet, cellular phones, multichannel television and a diverse society makes today's teens better informed than their predecessors.
The idea requires two-thirds approval by the Legislature to appear on the November ballot.
"When we gave the vote to those who didn't own property, then to women, then to persons of all colors, we added to the richness of our democratic dialogue and our own nation's integrity and its model for the world," Vasconcellos said, calling it time to further extend the vote.
A Republican colleague said it was "the nuttiest idea I've ever heard."
Said Assemblyman Ray Haynes: "There's a reason why 14-year-olds and 16-year-olds don't vote. They are not adults. They are not mature enough. They are easily deceived by political charlatans."
Student supporters said the idea could give them a say in issues such as education funding and bring new voices to the California electorate.
"If we could vote, politicians would see us as votes, not just kids, and they would take our issues seriously," said Robert Reynolds, a student at Berkeley High School.
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John Vasconcellos [and who ever the other three yo-yo's are] need to be committed - quickly.
edited to ask are the other three yo-yo's Democrats too?
posted on March 9, 2004 09:20:12 AM new
I know twelve - I couldn't believe it when I read it.
I questioned why would he/they be purposing such a thing....wasting the taxpayers money.
Then it hit me that I've read while CA usually goes Democratic, this year with Arnold in office, some think President Bush will be giving ol' kerry a run for the votes there. More so than in previous elections.
So the dems must be getting more desperate and this is their way of seeking more voters.
posted on March 9, 2004 10:07:48 AM new
That would be one more way for the libs to get more voters.
The Democrats ran on 'Honesty' and I told 'em at the time they would never get anywhere. It was too radical for politics. The Republicans ran on 'Common Sense' and the returns showed that there were 8 million more people in the United States who had 'Common Sense' enough not to believe that there was 'Honesty' in politics." --Will Rogers
posted on March 9, 2004 11:20:14 AM new
I don't think 14 year olds are mature enough to vote. Most teenagers that are allowed to vote don't exercise their right to vote. However it doesn't surprise me since it is coming from California.
Arnold wants a constitutional amendment so foreigners can be president.
Marriage is a Human Right not a Heterosexual Privledge.
posted on March 9, 2004 01:22:22 PM new - back @ you, fenix.
Why in the world would he propose such a thing?
I knew my post just might get your attention....if only for the fact I mentioned Arnold.
And I don't know the political party of the other three backers of this nonsense.
Think it was just to get his name in print? He represents the area of CA we came from. I emailed him, but if I were there I'd be down at his office requesting his presence for a full mental evaluation.
posted on March 9, 2004 04:01:35 PM new
I agree that fourteen year old children should not vote but I would like to make an observation about your unanimous opinions on this issue.
I have argued here that fourteen year old children should not be tried in criminal court as adults. It's funny how so quickly those who would support an adult trial and an adult sentence for a fourteen year old child would so quickly and without equivocation know that a fourteen year old should not vote.
posted on March 9, 2004 07:05:52 PM new
Linda - You are not alone in wondering what inspired this bill. I don't think it has anything to do with a fear of Bush. I don't think that Californians are going to forget that he as close to completely ignoring this state in his last campaign as one could do without making it a national issue. I would also be careful bringing comparision between Bush and someone who is in office soley because his predecossor was held accountable for a mind bogging deficit - you could start giving people ideas
Helen - I don't find a correlation between holding an 14 year old responsible for their actions (BTW - WHat 14 year old is currently on death row?) and expecting them to understand the intracies involved in leadership.
I believe that every 14 year old knows that murder is wrong. How many do you think understand the domestic economic implications of international econmic sanctions. How many understand the full effect of free trade issues or of military involvement overseas?
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on March 9, 2004 07:40:17 PM new
Fenix, I agree with you on the voting issue but I also believe that fourteen year old children should not be treated as adults in the criminal justice system. My remark did not mention death row but there are juveniles serving life sentences. In addition to lacking political knowledge they also lack behavioral maturity.
Recent medical studies on adolescent brain development contradict previously-held notions that a person's brain is fully developed by age 14.
According to research conducted by Harvard Medical School, the frontal and pre-frontal lobes, which regulate impulse control and judgment, are the last to develop. Thus, "the very brain system necessary for inhibition and goal-directed behaviour comes 'on board' last and is not fully operational until early adulthood (about 18-22 years)."
Similarly, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry determined that the brain does not physically stop maturing until a person is approximately 20 years old and that this rate of maturation can be severely retarded by abuse and neglect - conditions that affect most juvenile offenders on death row.
