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goBigtime · 05-06-2004, 09:26 AM

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...8601834.htm?1c

Teens tell state senators: Let us vote

PANEL DEBATES GIVING YOUTH PARTIAL BALLOT PRIVILEGE

By Dion Nissenbaum

Mercury News Sacramento Bureau

SACRAMENTO - Youth won a round against experience Wednesday as a troupe of teenagers as young as 14 demanded the right to vote from a skeptical panel of state senators.

After enduring a grilling from one of the Capitol's more grizzled veterans, teens looking for a voice in the political process walked away with an early victory when the Senate Elections Committee endorsed a plan to give millions of 14-, 15-, 16- and 17-year-old Californians the right to vote.

While the bill drafted by state Sen. John Vasconcellos still faces an uphill battle, the 71-year-old San Jose Democrat and his teenage allies reveled in their triumph.

``This proposal will inspire and enlighten and excite young people to come and vote,'' said Vasconcellos, who fought in the Legislature during the Vietnam War to lower the voting age from 21 to 18.

Comparing their plight to women and African-Americans who weren't given full voting rights until the early and mid-20th century, the teenagers cast the bill as a chance to encourage more Americans to take part in the democratic process.

``If society feels comfortable when teenagers share the road with them, then why do they feel uncomfortable when teenagers' hands are on the ballot?'' 13-year-old Harkirat Hansra asked committee members.

But the proposal took fire from the left and the right.

State Sen. Kevin Murray, a Culver City Democrat, criticized the bill's plan to give the new voters a partial voice. As drafted, ballots cast by 14- and 15-year-olds would only count as quarter-votes, while those cast by 16- and 17-year-olds would count as half-votes.

Murray called the suggestion a ``horrible, horrible, horrible idea'' and said that, as an African-American born in a country whose Constitution once classified his ancestors as three-fifths of a citizen, he could not embrace that notion.

``I could never in the long run support the idea that anybody gets a partial vote,'' said Murray, who ended up backing SCA 19 so Vasconcellos can try to refine the proposal in the coming weeks.

But the more withering questioning came from state Sen. Ross Johnson, a 64-year-old Irvine Republican and committee vice chair, who repeatedly sparred with the young witnesses.

``Is it not discrimination that a 14- or 15-year-old gets a quarter-vote?'' Johnson asked 17-year-old Berkeley High School junior Robert Reynolds.

``I'll answer that question with a question,'' Robert said before being cut off.

``No,'' shot back Johnson. ``You can answer that question with an answer.''

Robert paused for a moment before asking Johnson: ``Would you vote for this if it was a full vote?''

``I don't know,'' said the ruffled senator. ``That's not the bill before me.''

Before supporting the bill, committee chair Don Perata warned the teenagers that they faced a tough fight, but urged them to stick by their guns even if they lose this year.

``It may not happen now,'' the Oakland Democrat said. ``But if you stick with it, this is an idea that's time will one day come.''

05-06-2004, 09:26 AM
goBigtime Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 7,761	14 y/o's in California may get to vote... http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercu...8601834.htm?1c Teens tell state senators: Let us vote PANEL DEBATES GIVING YOUTH PARTIAL BALLOT PRIVILEGE By Dion Nissenbaum Mercury News Sacramento Bureau SACRAMENTO - Youth won a round against experience Wednesday as a troupe of teenagers as young as 14 demanded the right to vote from a skeptical panel of state senators. After enduring a grilling from one of the Capitol's more grizzled veterans, teens looking for a voice in the political process walked away with an early victory when the Senate Elections Committee endorsed a plan to give millions of 14-, 15-, 16- and 17-year-old Californians the right to vote. While the bill drafted by state Sen. John Vasconcellos still faces an uphill battle, the 71-year-old San Jose Democrat and his teenage allies reveled in their triumph. ``This proposal will inspire and enlighten and excite young people to come and vote,'' said Vasconcellos, who fought in the Legislature during the Vietnam War to lower the voting age from 21 to 18. Comparing their plight to women and African-Americans who weren't given full voting rights until the early and mid-20th century, the teenagers cast the bill as a chance to encourage more Americans to take part in the democratic process. ``If society feels comfortable when teenagers share the road with them, then why do they feel uncomfortable when teenagers' hands are on the ballot?'' 13-year-old Harkirat Hansra asked committee members. But the proposal took fire from the left and the right. State Sen. Kevin Murray, a Culver City Democrat, criticized the bill's plan to give the new voters a partial voice. As drafted, ballots cast by 14- and 15-year-olds would only count as quarter-votes, while those cast by 16- and 17-year-olds would count as half-votes. Murray called the suggestion a ``horrible, horrible, horrible idea'' and said that, as an African-American born in a country whose Constitution once classified his ancestors as three-fifths of a citizen, he could not embrace that notion. ``I could never in the long run support the idea that anybody gets a partial vote,'' said Murray, who ended up backing SCA 19 so Vasconcellos can try to refine the proposal in the coming weeks. But the more withering questioning came from state Sen. Ross Johnson, a 64-year-old Irvine Republican and committee vice chair, who repeatedly sparred with the young witnesses. ``Is it not discrimination that a 14- or 15-year-old gets a quarter-vote?'' Johnson asked 17-year-old Berkeley High School junior Robert Reynolds. ``I'll answer that question with a question,'' Robert said before being cut off. ``No,'' shot back Johnson. ``You can answer that question with an answer.'' Robert paused for a moment before asking Johnson: ``Would you vote for this if it was a full vote?'' ``I don't know,'' said the ruffled senator. ``That's not the bill before me.'' Before supporting the bill, committee chair Don Perata warned the teenagers that they faced a tough fight, but urged them to stick by their guns even if they lose this year. ``It may not happen now,'' the Oakland Democrat said. ``But if you stick with it, this is an idea that's time will one day come.''