Pieces of Flair

Quarter-folks to get quarter-votes in California?

Any constitutional amendment with a name as cool as "Training Wheels for Citizenship" seems like a no-brainer for sound public policy...

"In a rare and likely quixotic proposal, Sen. John Vasconcellos on Monday introduced a bill that would allow anyone 14 or older to vote -- at least fractionally -- starting as early as 2006.

"The proposal, which would grant people ages 16 and 17 a half-vote and those who are 14 and 15 a quarter-vote, is the final legislative push by the termed-out San Jose Democrat, an unapologetic liberal and the father of California's self-esteem movement.

"'We're just children, or that's what some people think,' said Victoria Martinez, 14, of San Jose, who supports the bill. 'But we do have minds and political views.'

"Flanked by about two dozen teens at a news briefing Monday, Vasconcellos dubbed his attempt to amend the California Constitution 'Training Wheels for Citizenship,' a way to engage about 2 million more young people at a time of low voter turnout."