REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  September  13, 2022
CATEGORY:  Consent - General Government-8.

SUBJECT:

Adopt a proclamation which recognizes September 19-29, 2022 and April 17-28, 2023 as "High School Voter Education Weeks" in Shasta County.

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Cathy Darling Allen, County Clerk/Registrar of Voters, (530) 225-5730

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Cathy Darling Allen, County Clerk/Registrar of Voters

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt a proclamation proclaiming September 19-29, 2022 and April 17-28, 2023 as "High School Voter Education Weeks" in Shasta County. 

DISCUSSION

In 2014, Assembly Bill (AB) 1817 was signed by Governor Brown designating the last two full weeks of April and September to be High School Voter Education Weeks.  From 2015 through 2019 the Board adopted similar proclamations, which resulted in 123 high school students participating in the program, and 1,554 high school students registering to vote. In the past this effort has been supported by both the California Secretary of State and the California Superintendent of Public Instruction.

AB 1817 and the Board's proclamations have historically provided an opportunity for high schools and their students to partner with county elections officials to promote civic education and participation on campus, and to foster an environment that cultivates lifelong voters and active citizens.  The activities provide nonpartisan information to high school students to encourage them to participate in the election process.  Students learn how to register to vote, how to mark and cast a ballot, how to find information about candidates and issues, and how to find election results.  Students are also encouraged to become Student Poll Workers.

In 2014, Senate Bill (SB) 113 was signed by Governor Brown allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote.  Pre-registration does not change the voting age, but allows those individuals to be automatically registered to vote as soon as they turn 18.  Students who participated in High School Voter Education Weeks activities become Voter Registration Coordinators and assist individuals in pre-registering and registering to vote.

ALTERNATIVES

One of the responsibilities of government leaders is to encourage all eligible citizens to register and vote; therefore, there are no alternatives recommended.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

The County Administrative Office has reviewed the recommendation.

FISCAL IMPACT

The total cost in the current fiscal year for this outreach project is $2500. The source of funding is the General Fund. The appropriations are included in the 2022-23 Adopted Budget.