BILL NUMBER:S3242

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 a
the time of a presidential election to vote in primary election if 17
at the time

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC 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 encouraging 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 politicians 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:

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:


None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

The foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative
convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the
assembly, an, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the
constitution, and be published for 3 months previous to the time of
such election.