What's happening
This bill allows New York residents aged sixteen or older to register to vote.
Why it matters
Expanding early engagement. By allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to register to vote, the bill encourages earlier civic participation, potentially leading to higher long-term voter turnout and a more engaged future electorate.
Streamlining registration processes. Young people can complete voter registration in high school or at the DMV when getting a learner’s permit, making it easier for them to be ready to vote as soon as they turn 18.
Civic education impact. Schools and community organizations may incorporate voter registration into their civic education programs, giving teenagers hands-on experience with the voting process and a stronger understanding of their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let 16-Year-Olds Register
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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.
Let 16-Year-Olds Register
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor Walter T. Mosley
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4440
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 15, 2017
Introduced by Sens. MONTGOMERY, COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Elections
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to authorizing persons sixteen years of age or older to register to vote
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.
LBD04034-02-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to authorizing persons sixteen years of age or older to register to vote
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, 2017.
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, 2017.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.