I grew up during the Viet Nam war. When 18 years olds won the vote, it was a tremendous accomplishment.

When I was in Civics class at John Marshall High, I wrote a report about voting. The teacher didn't read it, but I received an A. That was the only education about voting I got from my 18 years of formal public or private education. Gomez wants to change that. Good call. This press release has been a long time in coming...

Sacramento, CA – Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law a first of its kind bill in California. The Bill, AB 700, authored by Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez (D-Northeast Los Angeles), will incorporate voter education and registration information into the curriculum of American government and civic courses throughout the state. “Eighteen to Twenty-four year olds historically account for the lowest number of registered and active voters in our nation. If we want our youth to become registered we must ensure that they grasp the importance and understand their rights when it comes to voting,” said Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez. “My bill gives our youth the tools and knowledge necessary to become civically engaged by educating high school seniors on how to register to vote along with information on their rights and opportunities for civic participation.” The bill would require that when the history-social science framework is revised, the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) include voter education information in the high school American government and civics courses. This information would include the importance of registering to vote in local, state, and federal elections and how to access the voter information pamphlet and other materials to become an informed voter, to be included. The LAUSD recently passed a resolution in support of AB 700. The bill was supported by the California School Boards Association, California School Employees Association, Latino Democrats of Santa Cruz County, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and the School for Integrated Academics and Technologies. Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez represents the 51st Assembly District, which includes Unincorporated East Los Angeles and the neighborhoods of Glassell Park, Highland Park, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Echo Park, Eagle Rock, Elysian Park, Mt. Washington, Atwater Village, Montecito Heights, Chinatown and Silver Lake.

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