What's happening
This bill allows 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections if they will be 18 by the general election.
Why it matters
Expands youth engagement in the democratic process. by allowing 17-year-olds to participate in primaries, enabling them to have a say in selecting candidates who will appear on the general election ballot they are eligible to vote in.
Creates consistency in voter participation. by ensuring that those who will be 18 for the general election are involved in the full electoral process, rather than only voting in the final stage.
Potentially increases voter turnout and civic involvement. among young people by introducing them to voting earlier, which research suggests can build lifelong voting habits.
Aligns New York with other states. that have adopted similar provisions, reflecting a broader movement to empower and include younger voters in political decision-making.
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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
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to elections
- Referred to elections
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
877
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sens. BAILEY, HOYLMAN-SIGAL, MAYER -- 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 the age requirement for voting in a primary election
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 5-102 of the election law is amended by adding a new subdivision 4 to read as follows:
4. The provisions herein with respect to the age requirement for purposes of qualifying to vote shall not prohibit United States citizens otherwise qualified, who are seventeen years of age, from voting in a primary election, including a presidential primary, if such citizen will be eighteen years of age by the date of the corresponding general election.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02127-01-5
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 the age requirement for voting in a primary election
Purpose
To allow United States citizens who are seventeen years of age to vote in the primary election, including a presidential primary, if such citi- zen will be eighteen years of age by the date of the corresponding general election.
Summary of provisions
This bill amends the Election Law by adding a new subdivision to the relevant section that allows citizens who are seventeen years of age to vote in a primary election, including a presidential primary, if such citizen will be eighteen years of age by the date of the corresponding general election.
Justification
Currently in the United States, the legal voting age is eighteen. This leaves citizens who are seventeen years of age and will become eighteen by the date of the corresponding general election in the predicament where they would have to wait until the following presidential election to vote. Changing the legal voting age to seventeen would increase the voter turnout and give teenagers the incentive to be more politically inclined.
Fiscal implications
Minimal.
Legislative history
2019-20: Referred to Elections
2021-22: Referred to Elections
2023-24: Referred to Elections
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.