California's Senate has taken a significant step towards enhancing youth civic engagement with the introduction of Senate Concurrent Resolution 48 (SCR 48), aimed at promoting high school voter education weeks. Authored by the chair of the Senate Elections Committee and supported by Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, this resolution seeks to instill a culture of voting and civic participation among California's youth.

SCR 48 designates two weeks each year—one in April and another in September—as dedicated times for high schools to focus on voter education. The initiative comes in response to concerning trends in youth voter turnout, which saw a 12% decline among 18 to 24-year-olds in the last election, with young women experiencing an even steeper drop of 15%. These statistics highlight the urgent need for action to engage young voters and ensure they are prepared to exercise their rights as soon as they turn 18.

California boasts nearly 4,300 high schools and over 2 million students, presenting a unique opportunity to lead the nation in empowering youth participation in democracy. The resolution encourages schools to actively promote civic engagement, not only through voting but also by involving students in various democratic processes, such as serving as election workers and participating in political campaigns.

The Senate's discussions emphasized that civic engagement is a discipline that must be nurtured. By supporting SCR 48, lawmakers aim to inspire the next generation to see themselves as not just voters but as future leaders. The resolution is part of ongoing efforts to make the voting process more accessible, including the introduction of a pre-registration program that has added approximately 1.1 million young voters to California's voter rolls.

As the Senate moves forward with SCR 48, the focus remains on fostering a culture of civic responsibility among young Californians, ensuring they are equipped to participate actively in their democracy. The resolution is expected to play a crucial role in reversing the trend of declining youth voter turnout and reinforcing the importance of civic education in schools.