Grant High Hosts National Voter Registration Day Event

Dozens of Grant Union High School seniors registered to vote Tuesday on National Voter Registration Day.

They heard from several speakers including former hedge fund manager and Democratic activist Tom Steyer, who's funding a registration effort aimed at young and minority voters.

Grant High Senior James Fotofini will turn 18 next August -- after California's June primary but before the November midterm. He says he feels lucky to be able to pre-register to vote so he'll be prepared for next year's election.

"Because I want my voice to be heard, and I want to be able to speak up for my community," he says.

Fotofini says he doesn't buy the argument made by disenchanted young people that his vote doesn't matter because he's just one person.

"You can think it, but as long as you do it, your voice will be heard eventually," he says. "The more you keep voting, like they said, they’ll pay attention to you – and that’ll make you stand out."

California law allows 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote. Elections officials then automatically register them on their 18th birthdays.