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Board Approves Charter Amendment to Let 16‑ and 17‑Year‑Olds Vote in City Elections; Measure Goes to November Ballot
Summary
The Board of Supervisors voted 9–2 to submit a charter amendment to the November ballot that would allow 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds to vote in municipal elections. Supporters cited turnout and civic education benefits; opponents raised concerns about consistency of age thresholds and potential legal complexities.
The Board of Supervisors on May 10 voted 9–2 to place a charter amendment on the November ballot that would permit 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds to vote in San Francisco municipal elections.
Supporters said the change would expand enfranchisement, embed civic habits earlier, and improve long‑term turnout. Supervisor Jane Kim described research and experience from other countries and U.S. localities showing that allowing students to register and vote while in school increases future participation. She and other backers noted that the Board of Education pledged support and would work on civic curriculum to prepare students to vote.
Opponents raised concerns about inconsistent age thresholds across law and policy — for example, San Francisco recently raised the tobacco purchase age to 21 — and warned of legal and administrative complications. Supervisor Mark Farrell said he worried that lowering the municipal voting age without a uniform national or state standard could lead to confusion. Supervisor Malia Cohen also questioned costs and potential unintended consequences, including juvenile‑justice implications; she said she would not support the measure.
The roll call recorded 9 ayes and 2 nos (Cohen and Farrell). The measure will appear on the November 8, 2016 ballot for San Francisco voters to decide.
