BILL NUMBER: S3822

SPONSOR: SAVINO
 
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.