Allow 16 Year Olds To Vote In Local Elections

 

This bill would lower the age required to register to vote from 18 to 16 for elections on the county level. All other

requirements would stand as they are. This bill would not allow teens to vote for state level positions such as

governors or representatives. It would focus on elections that more directly affect the teens, such as school board

positions or mayors.

 

This bill will give 16 year olds more influence in things that affect them in their day to day lives, such as schooling.

It will also help increase political awareness, hopefully leading to higher voter turnout when the 16 year olds turn 18.

Keeping this bill restricted to local elections will help to make sure that the teens have as much knowledge on the

election as possible, and allows them to directly see the effects of being politically active.

 

Local election- Any election within the county of residence, which would include mayoral elections, school board

elections, and elections for city government officials.

 

Any funding required to print additional ballots would be covered by funding already provided for elections. This money

comes primarily through taxes on businesses and individuals.

 

When a citizen registers to vote, they are given a ballot based on their home address. The same would apply here. When a

16 year old registers to vote, they would be given a ballot containing candidates only for local positions.

 

This bill will be effective upon passage.