Still not registered to vote? Reminder: October 19th is the deadline to register to vote in Alameda County. For more information, see the link at https://www.acvote.org/index.

All eligible voters will be mailed a vote-by-mail ballot beginning October 5th for the November 3rd general election and you can track your ballot using the using the “voter profile” link at https://www.acgov.org/rovmvp_app/mvp.do.

Castro Valley Matters intends this continuing California Propositions-2020 blog series to help our members and readers distill fact from advertising claims when considering the 12 state propositions on this year’s ballot.

Next up, Proposition 18, known as the Primary Voting for 17-Year-Olds Amendment, is seeking a constitutional change allowing 17-year olds who will be 18 at the time of the next election to vote.

Prop	Name	Brief Description
18	Primary Voting for 17-Year-Olds Amendment	A constitutional amendment that would allow 17-year olds who will be 18 at the time of the next general election to vote in primary elections and special elections

According to CalMatters.org, “Proposition 18 allows 17-year-olds to vote in primary and special elections if they will be 18 and eligible by the next general election.

Currently, California law indicates that voters must be 18 to participate in any local, state or federal election. This constitutional amendment would also pave the way for 17-year-olds who qualify to vote under this proposition to seek office, because the law says only registered voters can run for elected positions. 

Estimated cost: Between $200,000 and $1 million at the county level every two years. Statewide one-time costs are expected to be hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

What a “Yes” Vote Means	What a “No” Vote Means
A “Yes” vote on Proposition 18 means changing State law to allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary and special elections if they will be 18 and eligible by the next general election.	A “No” vote on Proposition 18 means State law will remain unchanged and 17-year-olds will not be allowed to vote.

The following people and organizations have either endorsed Proposition 18 and urge you to vote “Yes” or are opposed to Proposition 18 and want you to vote “No”.

Wants You to Vote “Yes”	Wants You to Vote “No”
California Association of Student Councils Gov. Gavin Newsom and Secretary of State Alex Padilla California League of Conservation Voters California School Boards Association	Election Integrity Project California Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

Need to know more? Check out these useful links to find more details on this proposition.