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Committee advances bill to let 16- and 17-year-olds pre-register and expand high-school voter education
Summary
The Assembly Elections Committee passed SB 3 16 (presented for Senator Reyes), which would require high schools to provide pre-registration information to 11th graders and distribute voter registration materials before the end of 11th grade.
The Assembly Elections Committee on July 16 voted to pass SB 3 16, the High School Voter Registration Act, as amended and re-refer the measure to the Committee on Appropriations. The bill was presented on behalf of Senator Reyes and accepted committee amendments.
SB 3 16 would permit 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote so they become automatically registered on their 18th birthday. The bill would also require high schools to distribute voter registration materials and informational notices to students before the end of 11th grade, including information on in-person voting, vote-by-mail procedures, signature importance, ballot tracking, services for voters with disabilities, and key election dates.
Student witnesses and youth civic organizations testified in support. Ruben (Ruben) Torres, a high school student in San Bernardino with Inland Congregations United for Change, said current civics instruction and existing registration efforts were inconsistent and that SB 3 16 would provide practical, uniform guidance. "SB 3 16 ensures that every eleventh grade student receives clear, practical information about how to register and how to preregister to vote," Torres said.
Ruth Sosa Martinez, policy strategist with Power CA Action and a bill cosponsor, told the committee the measure sets a low-cost, consistent standard for schools and would address equity by making voter information available regardless of school resources. She noted fewer than half of high schools responded to the Secretary of State's 2022 survey and many reported being unaware of requirements.
Supporters in the room also included representatives from the Los Angeles County Office of Education, Legal Aid of Voters of California (Dora Rose), the California Chamber of Commerce, Disability Rights California, and several student organizers. There were no primary witnesses in opposition at the hearing.
Assemblymember Bennett moved the bill; a member seconded. The committee roll-call recorded the measure as passed as amended by a 4-to-1 vote (the clerk announced "out 4 to 1"). The chair praised the youth speakers and encouraged the committee to support the measure.
