February 8, 2021

Honolulu, Hawai'i – A state constitutional amendment to lower the voting age in Hawaiʻi to sixteen years of age was introduced by Senator Stanley Chang (District 9 -Hawai‘i Kai, Kuli‘ou‘ou, Niu, ‘Āina Haina, Wai‘alae-Kahala and Diamond Head).

 

SB 31 would amend Article II, section 1 of the Hawaiʻi State Constiution to lower the qualfying age of voters for any State or local election from eighteen years of age to sixteen years of age.

 

“For many of the cities around the country that have lowered the voting age, youth turnout at the polls have far outpaced that of the overall electorate,” said Senator Chang. “Lowering the voting age will encourage youth involvement in politics and provide our young people with a platform to shape a government that better reflects their needs and concerns.”

 

Proposed constitutional amendments by the legislature must be adopted by a two-thirds vote in each chamber during a legislative session or by a majority vote of each chamber in two successive legislative sessions.

 

To learn more about SB 31, click here.

 

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