Compiled by Karli Wallace/ Executive Theme Editor, Emilee Ray/ Theme Editor, Kaelie Macaulay/ Illustrator
California residents will have the opportunity to vote on Nov. 6 on 11 state propositions as well as state and national government positions.
Although the legal voting age is 18 years old in the United States, high school students in California have the option to pre-register to vote when they are either 16 or 17 years old. The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 22.
“The propositions that will probably have the largest impact on the Los Angeles and the South Bay area are Propositions 2, 6 and 10,” Manhattan Beach Mayor Steve Napolitano said. “Hopefully with the passing of proposition 2 and the rejection of propositions 6 and 10, it will help to have a positive impact on Manhattan Beach and on Los Angeles County.”
The Democratic and Republican parties have candidates running for positions such as Representative of the House and state positions such as Govenor and Secretary of State. Democrats are aiming to elect candidates into positions within the federal government after the events of the 2016 election in which the Republican party gained control of the presidency. The Republicans are mainly striving to keep seats in the House and Senate to maintain their hold on governmental authority.
“For political parties to stay in power, it requires them to win elections,” Young Republicans club member and junior Cooper Smith said. “It seems that the Republicans may take some seats in the House but lose some seats in the Senate to the Democrats.”
The 11 propositions on the ballot certify bonds, some of which aid in donating to children’s hospitals and environmental projects in California. In addition to voting on these bonds, voters will also decide on issues such as the possible repeal of the 2017 gas tax and whether or not the goverment should have the power to tax all forms of housing.
“It’s important to be engaged in voting from an early age so you understand how important it is to have an impact and have a voice in the government,” Napolitano said. “If people aren’t voting when the midterms come around, it’s a sign of bad democracy.”
If you are 18 years or older, click here to register to vote for the upcoming election.
For a voting guide on the midterm elections and for more information on why voting is important, click here.
Find polling places for the midterm elections nearest to you here.
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