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Committee hears multiple bills to expand youth voting in primaries and lower voting age
Summary
The Joint Committee on Election Laws heard testimony on several bills that would let 17-year-olds vote in primaries if they will be 18 by the general election and on proposals to lower the voting age to 16 in some jurisdictions.
The Joint Committee on Election Laws heard testimony on bills Monday that would allow some 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections and advance other proposals to lower the voting age.
Senator O'Connor testified she supports "Senate Bill, 5 26 and House Bill 8 54, which is an act relative to youth voter engagement," saying the measures "would allow for 17 year olds to vote in a primary election if their birthday is before the general election." She told the committee the change is intended to "give youth a much more incentive to really vote."
The measure's supporters said the change aims to make voting habitual among young people and to give first-time…
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