Amends the constitution to allow person who will be 18 years old at the the time of a presidential election to vote in primary election if 17 at the time

BILL NUMBER:S4758

Title of bill

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to section 1 of article 2 of the constitution, in relation to qualifications of voters

Purpose or general idea of bill

This would amend the constitution to allow a person who will be 18 years old at the time of a presidential election to vote in the primary election if 17 at the time.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 of article 2 of the constitution is amended to provide that every citizen who is seventeen years of age at the time of a primary election for president of the United States and who will be eighteen years of age at the time of the general election for which such primary election is held shall be eligible to vote in such primary election.

Justification

Allowing 17-year-olds who would be 18 by the time of a general election the opportunity to vote in a primary would be a positive step as it would allow those individuals who are eligible to vote in November the opportunity to vote for a candidate in the primary, thereby encouraging them to participate in the process. Voting is a basic obligation of being a United States citizen; it only makes sense to get our young people involved and invite them to take part in the election process. Furthermore, this bill would address a shocking inequity in our laws that allow a 17 year old to eligible to enlist in the armed forces and fight in a war but not have the ability to vote.

To date, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia already allow this practice.

Prior legislative history

2012: S.6123 died in Judiciary; A.4464 died on 3rd Rdg. 2011: No Senate bill; A.4464 died in Judiciary. 2010: S.4226 died on 31d Rdg.; A.5110 P-Assembly. 2009: S.4226 died in Judiciary; A.5110 died in Election Law.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This would be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, and be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.