The Independent View: NY Youth Voter Pre-Registration Bills Advance Out of Committee‏

Today, the New York State Assembly and Senate Elections Committees, respectively, approved the Youth Voter Pre-Registration Bills sponsored by New York State Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh and State Senator David Carlucci. This legislation, a top priority of the New York Democratic Lawyers Council and the Minority Voting Rights Committee, would allow 16 and 17-year olds to pre-register to vote.

The legislation (A02042A/S1992-A) was approved by the Assembly Election Law Committee, Chaired by Assembly member 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.

Assembly member 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, Assembly member 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."

Assembly member 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.

“New York State voters, like the rest of the nation, suffer from low turn-out and a growing disillusionment with the political process. That’s why it’s particularly important that we facilitate voter registration and encourage young people to participate in our democracy. If good habits, like voting, form early, they can last a lifetime and effect real change. Common Cause/NY urges the Legislature to pass this important legislation immediately,” said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY.

“Our state’s youth sadly register and vote at lower rates than adults and senior citizens,” said Dick Dadey, Executive Director at Citizens Union. “Enabling schools and departments of motor vehicles to pre-register 16 and 17 year-olds at the time when they are most connected with young people will hopefully raise their electoral participation. We commend both the Assembly and Senate for acting on legislation championed by Assembly member Kavanagh and Senator Carlucci aimed at encouraging young people to participate in our democracy and vote.”

"Enacting a pre-registration program would make New York State a beacon for democracy and remove voter registration red tape for thousands of young voters," said Steven Carbó, Demos State Advocacy Director. "Ensuring every citizen has the freedom to vote and voice an opinion on the pressing matters facing our state and nation from the day they turn 18 throughout the rest of their lives is essential to our shared prosperity and security."

"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.

“There is nothing more important than getting our young citizens actively involved in politics. They are our future Democratic and Republican leaders. I applaud Brian Kavanagh and David Carlucci for their energy on this important and exciting bill,” said Bill Samuels, Founder of The New Roosevelt Institute.

"I thank both Assemblyman Kavanagh and Senator Carlucci for their leadership and hard work on this legislation that will increase civic participation of our youth, especially those who are marginalized,” said Mark A. Favors, Executive Director of the Youth Civic Leadership Academy.

"Anything we can do to improve youth registration and voting, regardless of party, is essential to improving New York State's turn out that has recently ranked last in the nation," said New York Democratic Lawyers Council Statewide Coordination Chair Ben Kallos. "New York Democratic Lawyers Council has been advocating for pre-registration of 16- and 17-year olds for 7 years. We are impressed with its likelihood to finally pass under the strong leadership of sponsors Assembly Member Brian Kavanagh and Senator David Carlucci."

“The Harlem4 Center for Change supports Pre-Registration. This legislation solves a frustrating problem with civic leaders struggling to get young people involved in the election process. I call the problem the Citizenship Gap. The most hopeful and idealistic people we talk to about voting are the 16 & 17 year olds in school discussions and social study classes. The problem is if they don’t turn 18 that year, their enthusiasm cannot turn immediately into registration, they graduate, they disperse and it’s harder to connect with them again to get them registered. We lose a lot of naturally unspoiled voters who would be principally motivated by their idealism and not another agenda in that Citizenship Gap,” said Chet Whye, Executive Director of the HARLEM4 Center for CHANGE.