Measure YV

Culver City Charter Amendment to Lower the Voting Age to 16

Measure YV would allow Culver City residents aged 16 and 17, who are otherwise eligible to vote under state and local law, to vote on City and School District candidates and ballot measures, provided that each legislative body has approved budgetary funds and determined logistical systems are in place, and that inclusion would not prevent consolidation of City or School District elections with county elections.

This measure requires approval by a majority of voters voting on the measure to pass.

Fiscal Impact: This measure will likely lead to increased election costs for the City as more eligible voters will need voter information guides, ballots, and more. 

Next Los Angeles County Measure: Measure AA

See Endorsements for Measure YV
Background

The City Charter states that “unless otherwise provided by this Charter,” state law will control the procedures for holding all City elections and elections for members of the CCUSD school board.  See Charter Sections 1500 and 1503. California Constitution Article II section 2 states that “United States citizens 18 years of age and resident of this state may vote.”  The California Elections Code also requires that a valid registered voter must be a California resident, a United States citizen, and at least 18 years of age.

The California Constitution, Article XI Section 5, grants charter cities the right to govern their municipal affairs, which includes the conduct of city elections. 

Proposal

If approved, Measure YV will add Section 1506, “Voting Age”, to the Charter, which would allow 16- and 17-year-old City residents, who are otherwise eligible under state and local law, to vote in City and CCUSD elections. 

The Measure requires that in order for the voting age to be lowered to 16, the City Council and the CCUSD Board must each decide to do the following for their respective elections: (1) approve the budgetary funds to cover any additional election costs that may be incurred; (2) determine that logistical systems are in place to conduct the election; and (3) determine that including 16- and 17-year-olds in the election would not prevent consolidation of the election with the County election, which has occurred since 2020.

Source: Measure YV: Impartial Analysis

Los Angeles County Election Resources