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History
- 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.
Relates to voter pre-registration
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor Brian Kavanagh
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S5256
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to voter pre-registration
Purpose or general idea of bill
To allow 16 and 17 years to pre-register to vote.
Summary of specific provisions
A new paragraph p is added to section 5-500 of the election law that specifies for the addition of a space on a voter registration form for pre registering applicants.
The election law is amended by adding a new section 5-507 to allow a person who is at least 16 years old and is otherwise qualified to register to vote, to pre-register to vote with that voter automatically registered upon reaching the age of eligibility.
Subsection two of the new section 5-507 requires local boards of education to adopt policies to promote student voter registration and pre-registration.
Justification
There are currently six states that allow 16 year olds to pre-register to vote, and two more that allow 17 year olds to pre register to vote.
The age 16 is sensible time for the DMV and high schools to collect information for voter pre registration, as it is the time when a significant amount of people have their first interaction with the DMV, and it is an age where school is still compulsory in New York. Pre registration allows this information to be collected at a convenient time for the individual rather than making them return to the boards of elections or a state agency when they reach eligible voting age.
In New York in 2004, only 57 percent of eligible voters between the ages of 18 and 29 were registered to vote. (Young voter Registration and Turnout Trends, a report issued by rock the Vote in 2004) This percentage is likely to increase when information is gathered to pre register 16 and 17 years olds, and then automatically registering young voters when they reach an eligible voting age. Getting young people involved in the election process allows them to form the habit of voting and contribute to civic life early on.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect January 1, 2013.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.