Elections: voter registration.

Existing law authorizes a person who will be 18 years of age at the time of the next election to register to vote by executing an affidavit of registration. This bill would authorize a person who is at least 17 years of age and otherwise meets all voter eligibility requirements to submit his or her affidavit of registration. The affidavit of registration would be deemed effective as soon as the affiant would be 18 years of age at the time of the next election. Existing law requires the local registrar of births and deaths to notify the county elections official monthly of all deceased persons 18 years of age and over whose deaths were registered the preceding month. Existing law further requires the county elections official to cancel the affidavit of registration of a deceased voter. This bill would require the local registrar of births and deaths to notify the county elections official monthly of all deceased persons 17 years of age and over whose deaths were registered the preceding month. This bill would also make conforming changes to existing law. The above provisions of the bill would become operative when the Secretary of State certifies that the state has a statewide voter registration database that complies with the requirements of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002. By requiring local elections officials to process voter registrations submitted by persons 17 years of age or older, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions. This bill would incorporate changes to Section 2150 of the Elections Code made by SB 6, to become operative only if both this bill and SB 6 become operative.