What's happening
This bill allows New York residents aged sixteen or older to register to vote, lowering the minimum registration age from eighteen.
Why it matters
Expands civic engagement opportunities for younger people. By allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to register, the bill could help foster earlier habits of political participation and make it easier for youth to transition into voting when they reach legal voting age.
Streamlines voter registration processes. High schools and other youth-oriented institutions could now more actively support voter registration drives, potentially increasing overall registration rates and simplifying logistics for first-time voters.
May improve voter turnout among young adults. Evidence suggests that individuals who are registered earlier are more likely to vote once eligible, so this change could lead to higher turnout rates in the 18-24 age group in future elections.
Aligns with broader trends in youth enfranchisement. Other states and regions have implemented similar measures, so this move puts New York in line with a growing movement to engage younger citizens in the democratic process.
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Headline styles
Let 16-Year-Olds Register
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to election law
- Referred to election law
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.
Let 16-Year-Olds Register
In Senate Committee · Elections · Sponsor Velmanette Montgomery
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1687
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 12, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. MOSLEY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Election Law
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to voter registration of persons sixteen years of age or older
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (g) of subdivision 5 of section 5-210 of the election law, as amended by chapter 179 of the laws of 2005, is amended to read as follows:
(g) Notice that the applicant must be a citizen of the United States, is [or will be at least eighteen years old not later than December thirty-first of the calendar year in which he or she registers] at least sixteen years old when he or she submits an application to register to vote and a resident of the county or city to which application is made.
§ 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2017.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04034-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.