Vote 16? Here's what Culver City voters should know

The Vote 16 measure has officially been placed on the November 2026 ballot for consideration by Culver City voters in November, and there is a discussion over whether passing the Measure, which would lower the voting age in the Culver City Charter for local and school board elections from 18 to 16, represents the right direction for the city.

Here’s what you need to know about the arguments for and against the Vote 16 movement and the lead-up to the decision voters will make in November:

History

Against: This is the 3rd consecutive election season in which proponents of lowering the voting age have worked to amend the city charter. It originally appeared as Measure VY in 2022, but did not receive the support to pass. A citizens’ initiative did not get enough signatures to reach the ballot in 2024, but the City Council placed it on the 2026 ballot after an appeal from the student group pushing for the change, without wider community feedback or a formal initiative process.

For: While Measure VY failed in 2022, the difference was 16 of the 16,602 Culver City residents who voted on the measure, with advocates noting the 8,293 votes it received were more than the 7,535 that Dan O’Brien — the top vote-getter for the city’s two open council seats in 2022 — received. Efforts to create change like this take time, advocates argued, and the support it received in 2022 was enough to justify continuing the effort.

Reasoning

For: 16- and 17-year-olds in Culver City argued that local issues are impactful enough in their lives to deserve a voice, with decisions related to schools, gun control, and the environment highlighted by student advocates. California requires a government class for its high schoolers, making them just as, if not more, educated about the structure and functions of government and politics than adults, who are not subject to an educational requirement. Supporters also argued that starting the process of involving young people directly in civic life early creates an educated voter base.

Against: The influence of non-taxpayers on decisions with implications on taxpayers without fully understanding those implications could have drastic impacts on the city. Those against Vote 16 argue that students should not have to worry about being involved in or targeted by political campaigning efforts. While students have a basic understanding of government through their classes, the dynamics of many issues impacting residents cannot be fully understood without the adult life experiences that shape many people’s voting views.

People

Against: Members of one of the largest student government groups in Culver City, organized through the YMCA’s Youth and Government Program, were split over whether they wanted to vote or were ready to do so. Culver City taxpayers are worried about the fallout from allowing a group insulated from the consequences of decisions about taxpayer dollars to wield significant power over those decisions.

For: A person’s rights as they age should remain consistent, and people who are eligible to drive and have government IDs should be allowed to influence matters that affect their lives, with advocates citing examples such as gun control, school policy, and decisions that affect or could affect environmental quality. This effort has been carried out across multiple classes of graduating CCHS students, demonstrating an enduring desire to vote that extends beyond just a small group of Culver City youth.

Evidence

For: Studies have shown that “cold cognition,” the ability to process information and data and use it to come to conclusions, is something that 16 and 17-year-olds are more than capable of. These age groups performed similarly to adults in logical reasoning tests in research used by the national advocacy group Vote16USA as supporting evidence for adolescents’ ability to vote rationally. This change is not unprecedented, as other California cities like Berkeley, Oakland, and Alameda have made the switch and have yet to repeal it.  

Against: Other studies make a strong distinction between cold cognition and hot cognition, or how one thinks and perceives stimuli when under pressure or emotional influence. While cold cognition has been shown to have developed, other forms of mental and cognitive development are still underway in adolescents. Several studies have confirmed that psychosocial maturity continues to develop beyond age 16, including impulse control and resistance to peer pressure, both of which can significantly influence voting decisions.

Final Verdict

That’s up to the voters of Culver City. This measure will require a simple majority to pass, as it does not impose a new tax or other special measure that would require a 66% majority. The vote on Measure VY marginally failed in 2022, but the citizens’ initiative effort could not gather the support necessary to make the ballot.