Prop 18 – Voting Rights for 17-Year Olds

How does it align with yli’s values?

Young people are significantly underrepresented in California’s electorate. For almost 30 years, yli has worked alongside youth to lift up their experiences and insights, and sharpen their leadership and advocacy skills. Establishing Student Advisory Committees and Youth Commissions at the local level has been a core strategy for including youth at decision-making tables. These youth are at the forefront of movements to improve the communities in which we live, and we would all benefit from their voices at the ballot box.

We also believe that allowing 17-year-olds to vote in primary and special elections is yet one more strategy to encourage those young people who have been disengaged to participate. Once voting begins it becomes a life-long habit. Finally, fairness dictates that people who will be eligible to vote in a general election should be able to help choose the candidates who will be on that ballot.

What is yli doing about it?

We have just endorsed this proposition, and we are voicing our support on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Who else supports this proposition?