Measure V

Albany Youth Voting

Would amend the City Charter to allow Albany residents to vote for local candidates and ballot measures in municipal and school district elections if they are U.S. citizens, at least 16 years old and registered to vote, once the City Council and School Board, respectively, determine that including 16 and 17 year old voters in such elections will be cost-effective and feasible, and to repeal older Charter language about former elected officers. Measure V requires simple majority approval of Albany voters to pass.

Fiscal Impact: Measure V will increase local election costs at the city, school board, and county levels as Alameda County oversees elections for the City of Albany.

Next Alameda County Measure: Measure W

Pro:

Supporters argue that Measure V will give more of our residents a say in our government and encourage civic participation for years to come. This measure gives 16- and 17-year olds the right to vote in Albany's elections. Our neighbors in Berkeley and Oakland have already taken similar steps to allow youth voting in School Board elections in their cities, recognizing that our youth should have a voice in policies that impact them. Albany has the chance to give our youth an even greater voice in our community, acknowledging that they are impacted by decisions made beyond our schools. Lowering the voting age t0 16 is supported by a broad body of peer reviewed research. Political science finds 16- and 17-year-olds vote at the same rate as middle aged and older people while 18- to 20-year olds vote substantially less. Furthermore, once people vote once, they are much more likely to vote again. As a result, jurisdictions that have lowered the voting age have seen an increase in overall voter turnout.

A YES vote on this measure means that you support allowing U.S. citizens aged 16 and older to vote in local elections and repealing outdated language on former elected officers.

Con:

No official argument against Measure V was submitted.

A NO vote on this measure means that you do not support allowing U.S. citizens aged 16 and older to vote in local elections and repealing outdated language on former elected officers.

Currently, the City of Albany follows the California Elections Code and limits voting in municipal and School District elections to United States citizens who are at least 18 years of age and who are registered to vote in the City of Albany. However, under the State Constitution as a California charter city, Albany voters have “home rule” legal authority over this municipal affair to reduce the minimum voting age in municipal and school district elections by a City Charter amendment.

If approved by a majority of Albany voters, Measure V would amend Section 5.03 and add Section 6.04 to the City Charter to reduce the minimum voting age for municipal and school district elections to 16 years old. This would allow 16 and 17 year old residents to vote for both candidates and ballot measures in Albany municipal and school district elections, provided they are United States citizens and registered to vote in the City of Albany. Measure V would not authorize residents under 18 years of age to vote in Federal, State, County or other special district elections. Measure V would not authorize persons under the age of 18 years old at the time of election to be elected to office as a member of the Albany City Council or Albany Unified School District Board of Education.

Measure V would also amend Section 5.03 to eliminate certain outdated language about an elected City Attorney, City Judge and Chief of Police.

Source: Impartial Analysis of Measure V

Alameda County Election Resources

Pro:

Con:

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