What's happening
This amendment allows 17-year-olds to vote in presidential primary elections if they will be 18 by the general election.
Why it matters
Expands youth civic engagement. By allowing 17-year-olds (who will be 18 by the general election) to vote in presidential primaries, the amendment gives young people a direct stake and voice in the candidate selection process, potentially increasing their overall political engagement and voter turnout in the long term.
Aligns primary participation with general election eligibility. The proposal ensures that anyone eligible to vote in the general election also has a say in choosing the candidates they’ll ultimately vote for, making the primary process more representative of the final electorate.
May influence campaign strategies and outreach. With a new, younger demographic eligible to vote in primaries, political campaigns may adjust their messaging and outreach efforts to appeal to the priorities and interests of 17-year-olds, possibly shifting discussions and policy focus.
Supports continuity with broader trends. Several other states have implemented similar provisions, and this amendment would bring New York in line with those efforts to enfranchise younger voters at a key moment in the electoral process.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Let 17-Year-Olds Vote Primaries
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
4 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to judiciary
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 40–20
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- To attorney-general for opinion
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.144
- Referred to judiciary
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to judiciary
Show 8 earlier actions
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 40–22
- Opinion referred to judiciary
- Advanced to third reading
- To attorney-general for opinion
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.700
- Referred to judiciary
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 17-Year-Olds Vote Primary
In Assembly Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Michael Cusick
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3822
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 15, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SAVINO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
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
Section 1. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That section 1 of article 2 of the constitution be amended to read as follows:
Section 1. Every citizen shall be entitled to vote at every election for all officers elected by the people and upon all questions submitted to the vote of the people provided that such citizen is eighteen years of age or over and shall have been a resident of this state, and of the county, city, or village for thirty days next preceding an election; provided, however, a 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.
§ 2. Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That the foregoing amendment 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, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD89006-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
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
Amends the constitution to allow a person who will be 18 years old at the time of a presidential election to vote in primary election if 17 at the time.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of article 2 of the constitution is amended to provide that every citizen who is seventeen year 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 first 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 encour- aging 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.
A grass roots group called Rock the Vote, founded over twenty years ago, encourages young voters to register and vote and to engage in politics.
It has expanded its campaign to high school seniors and supports voting in presidential primaries if 17 year old's will turn 18 by the general election. Rock the Vote is dedicated to building the political power of young people by engaging them in the electoral process and urging poli- ticians to pay attention to issues that matter to young voters.
Currently about half of the states allow 17 year old primary voting.
Other states allow 17 year old primary voting in a presidential year which is the objective of this legislation.
Prior legislative history
2018: A3549 - Opinion Referred to Judiciary / S3979 - Opinion Referred to Judiciary 2017: A3549 - Passed Assembly / S3979 - Opinion Referred to Judiciary 2015-2016 - Passed Assembly/S.3242 - Opinion referred to Judiciary; 2013-2014: A.523 - Died on 3rd Rdg. S.4758 Died in Judiciary; 2012-2011: A.4464 Died on 3rd Rdg.S.6123 - Died in Judiciary; 2009-2010: A.5110-Passed Assembly/S.4226 Died on 3rd Rdg; 2008: A.10084-Opinion referred to Judiciary.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
The foregoing amendment to be referred to the first regular legislative convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the consti- tution, and be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.