Some Good News for Young would-be Voters

If you know a politically active 17-year old -- here's an important link you should forward to them.  (And maybe even, if they're not-so 'politically active' -- afterall, its "theirfuture" on-line.)

From fairvote.org -- the Center for Voting and Democracy ...

17-year-old Primary Voting

Increasing Youth Engagement Through Participation

FairVote advocates that states and political parties act to allow citizens who will be 18 years old on or before the general election to vote in their party’s corresponding primary or caucus. A notable portion of citizens who have the right to vote in the general election in November currently do not have a voice in determining who will be on that general election ballot. Granting voting rights in primaries and caucuses to these 17-year-olds is only fair and will increase their political engagement through participation. Policymakers can implement this reform by state law or party rule.

Facts about 17-year-old Primary and Caucus Voting:

   • 17-year-olds can vote in primaries and caucuses in half of U.S. states

        States include: Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, Vermont,  and Washington. Most have done this by state law, but others by changing rules in parties.

[...]

In 2008, there were more than four million 17-year-olds in America

   • Young eligible voters (18 to 29 year-olds) have traditionally voted at the lowest rates because they are not prepared for participation.

   • This policy ensures more young people are on the voter rolls and prepared to participate in the general election.

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