Lowering voting age to 14 proposed in California

KATUR ^ | March 9, 2004 | JIM WASSERMAN

[Howlin]

KATU 2 News - Portland, Oregon www.katu.com

Lowering voting age to 14 proposed in California

March 10, 2004

- By JIM WASSERMAN SACRAMENTO, Calif. - 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, multi-channel 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.

[Howlin]

Look at this!

[My2Cents]

That's 14 IQ, not 14 years of age! Democrats expanding their base yet again.

[cripplecreek]

"A Republican colleague said it was "the nuttiest idea I've ever heard."


And thats the most sensible comment in the entire article.

[tutstar]

How in the world could they be serious?
A great portion of teen age boys can't even pull up their pants and someone wants to let them vote!
Aaaarrrrrgggggghhhhhhh

[Howlin]

FYI.

[Frank_Discussion]

We are witnessing one of two things:

1. The dying gasps of the Demo PTB, or;

2. An attempted coup d'etat.

This cannot be allowed to pass.

[Howlin]

I just saw them on Fox News.

They are DEAD serious.

[HeadOn]

Oh, Brother. I saw part of a movie one time where they lowered the voting age to 10 or something, and ended up with a teenager in the White House. (Oh, wait - we did that with 18-year-old voters.....)

[bigpete_53]

As a Californian, I must say our Democratic legislators are total and complete imbiciles. Why not lower the drinking age, age of consent, age for military service, and get rid of child labor laws for those about 14 if they're so mature? Absolutely ridiculous.

[Prime Choice]

This is absurd. How about California Republicans tack on a lowering of the minimum age to own a handgun on it? After all, if we're going to give minors the right to influence the political future of our nation, then they should also have the right to exercise their Second Amendment rights.

[Howlin]

Just when you think things can't get any worse or go any lower, they always do.

[Prime Choice]

It makes sense that the Left would try to pass this sort of thing. The disenchanted nihilists are their core voters. What better way to assure their own political future than by pandering to youngsters who don't know any better?

[deport]

Here's links to other articles on FR about the proposal....

14 Yr olds vote

[microgood]

This is probably the Pedophile act of 2004. If they are old enough to vote, they are old enough to....<\your imagination>

[Howlin]

Let me say this right now: I am NOT laughing at California.

I posted this because lately it seems like anything that comes out of California sweeps the nation.

I love all our California Freepers; well, most of them anyway.

[Fraulein]

Sheer stupidity.

I would imagine, however, that pedophiles think this is just a lovely idea: 'But, judge, 14 years olds are old enough to vote in this state!'

[Prodigal Son]

Just go 'em one further. Give babys in the womb two votes.

[freekitty]

Why? Is this in response to something?