Rules Committee unanimously backs placing 'Vote 16' charter amendment on November ballot

The Rules Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to send a charter amendment to the full Board that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in municipal elections. Chair Supervisor Hillary Ronan made the motion to forward the measure with a positive recommendation; Supervisors Catherine Stephanie and Gordon Marr voted aye.

President Norman Yee, one of the measure’s sponsors, told the committee lowering the local voting age would strengthen democracy and increase civic participation among young people who already are affected by municipal decisions. "We need to ensure that young people build the habit of voting as early as possible and continue to participate in our democracy throughout their lives," Yee said.

Youth commissioners and advocates framed the proposal, identified in the file as BOS file no. 200477, as both an equity and engagement measure. Ariana Arana, a Youth Commissioner representing District 9, described outreach and organizing since a 2016 ballot effort and urged supervisors to let voters decide in November. Presenters cited research and local demographic data — including the presenters’ statement that "1 in 3 SFUSD students has an immigrant parent" — to argue that extending the franchise would diversify the electorate and raise turnout among young people.

Dozens of callers from youth groups, civil-rights organizations and community partners called in during the public comment period to support placing the amendment on the ballot. Supporters included the ACLU of Northern California, Generation Citizen and student leaders who said 16- and 17-year-olds are civically engaged, study civics in school and are already affected by city policies on education, transportation and public safety.

Committee members framed the vote as giving San Francisco voters another chance to decide the question after a 2016 effort. Supervisor Catherine Stephanie said she was "inspired" by the youth presenters and would vote to place the measure on the ballot; Supervisor Marr echoed those remarks and said he supported moving the proposal to the full Board.

The clerk noted items acted on by the committee will appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda of June 23 unless otherwise stated. The Rules Committee’s positive recommendation means the full Board will consider placing the charter amendment before voters in November.