This is a 2-minute summary of what’s on the ballot. Click here to listen to them all.
Measure G proposes to amend San Francisco’s voter age requirement for local elections, allowing 16 and 17-year olds to vote on municipal measures. It would not affect voting eligibility for state or national ballot measures.
In 2016, a similar proposal was on the ballot, but was voted down by a slight margin; 52.6% of voters rejected it. This year, the idea has returned.
Prop G’s supporters say that decisions made by voters in local elections directly affect young people. These include issues such as education and transportation. San Francisco's youth commissioners argue many 16 and 17 year olds are already working and paying taxes, so they should have a say in how tax dollars are spent. Supporters also say lowering the voting age would increase voter turnout among young people and their families.
Mayor London Breed and all but one of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors support the measure, as well as Board of Education commissioners, and members of youth, LGBTQ, and LatinX advocacy groups.
However, opponents argue that teens are still legally children, who can easily be swayed by outside pressure. Some opponents cite social media as a potential distraction from understanding what’s at stake and say teens lack real world experience.
The measure’s opponents include San Francisco Republican Party delegates as well as its chairperson.
San Francisco’s financial office says there would beminimal additional costto implement this measure.
If you think 16 and 17-year olds should be allowed to vote in local elections, vote yes on prop G. If you think the minimum voting age should remain 18 years old, vote no.
