Authorizes persons 16 years of age or older to register to vote

1 Co-sponsor

• Leroy Comrie

Title of bill

An act to amend the election law, in relation to voter registration of persons sixteen years of age or older

Purpose

Authorizes persons at least 16 years of age to submit an application 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 16 years of age at the time of submission.

Section 2 provides an effective date of July 1, 2015.

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 16-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 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.

Effective date

This act shall take effect July 1, 2015.