What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Print number 5038a
- Amend and recommit to elections
- Referred to elections
- Referred to elections
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Authorizes person 17 years of age or older to register to vote
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor Jeffrey Dinowitz
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S5038A
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to voter registration of persons seventeen years of age or older
Purpose
Authorizes persons 17 of age or older to register to vote.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends paragraph (g) of subdivision 5 of § 5-210 of the election law to provide that an applicant who submits a applicant to register to vote must be at least 17 years of age at the time of submission.
Section 2 provides an effective date of July 1, 2011.
Justification
Under current law, a 17-year-old may submit an application to register to vote if he or she will turn 18 in the calendar year in which he or she registers. This bill would expand that ability to all 17-year-olds. A registered voter's eligibility to cast a ballot will continue to commence on the voter's 18th birthday.
Expanding the application period will allow more New Yorkers to register to vote when they apply for their first senior driver's license at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Any driver age 17 or older with a junior license who has successfully completed a driver education course is eligible to apply for a senior license. It will also make it possible to enroll more voters while they are still students, thereby increasing the likelihood of lifelong civic engagement and strengthening our democracy.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
This act shall take effect July 1, 2012.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.