State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson introduced a bill this week that would allow 15-year-olds — at an age when they typically head to the DMV to get their instructional permit or driver license — to preregister to vote. They could preregister by mail or online and would be automatically eligible to vote once they turned 18. Currently, nearly one-quarter of all Californians who are eligible to vote are not registered. Participation is even lower for young people, with only half of eligible voters registered. “This bill would encourage a one-stop shop for teens, where they accomplish two important tasks at once,” said Jackson.
