Senator David Carlucci, who represents Rockland County, and Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh announced that their legislation allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote has advanced in both houses of the legislature. The bill, sponsored by Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh and Senator David Carlucci, would allow teenagers to pre-register so that their registration becomes effective immediately on their 18th birthday, the legal age for voting in New York.

The legislation (A02042A/S1992-A) was approved by the Assembly Election Law Committee, Chaired by Assemblymember Michael Cusick, and the Senate Elections Committee, Chaired by Senator Tom O’Mara. It is intended to increase voter participation, especially among younger voters. It should also facilitate processing of registrations by local election boards which are often burdened with large numbers of new registrations immediately before major elections. The bill now advances to the floor of the Senate and to the Ways and Means Committee in the Assembly.

The issue of youth voter registration is of national concern, with only 59% of eligible voters between the ages of 18-24 registered, as compared with 71% of voters of all ages. In addition to allowing for pre-registration, the bill would require local boards of education to adopt policies to educate students about the value of voter participation.

Assemblymember Kavanagh said, “We’re taking a major step forward in our effort to increase youth civic engagement and improve administration of elections. This bill is an important, effective way to promote youth voter registration at no cost to taxpayers. I look forward to working with the Governor, Senator Carlucci, Assemblymember Cusick and all of my colleagues in the Assembly to enact this bill this session. Together, we can take a meaningful step to make our democracy a little more representative.”

Senator Carlucci said, “Our democratic process hinges upon a strong voter participation rate at the ballot box, yet all too frequently our youngest generation escapes Election Day without having their voices heard. Pre-registration is a common sense approach that will ultimately not only place more individuals on our voter rolls, but ensure that New York reverses a lackluster rate among this key demographic. Every vote counts, and the more people that heed that calling will have the opportunity to make their opinions on issues matter.”

Assemblymember Cusick said, “Pre-registration for teenagers is a common sense step we can take to increase voter turnout and engage young New Yorkers with the democratic process. I’ve long been committed to civic engagement of young people and the Election Law Committee is always looking for ways to make elections more accessible to New Yorkers. I’m proud that we were able to move this bill forward.”

“The Campaign Finance Board fully supports this common-sense legislation to encourage young people to start a voting habit that will last a lifetime. New York City’s election this fall will shape the future of our city for years to come. We need to do all we can to ensure young voters participate fully in deciding what that future will look like,” said Art Chang, chair of the New York City Voter Assistance Advisory Committee.

“Voter pre-registration is a common sense reform that has proven to be effective, with little to no new costs. A uniform registration age avoids confusion about when it’s legal to register and makes it easier to efficiently add young people to their rolls at schools and the DMV before they reach voting age. None of the states implementing it have encountered difficulties, yet now can increase young people’s registration,” said Rob Richie, Executive Director of FairVote.

(Rockland Star)