Senate Bill S3231

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S3231

SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment
to section 1 of article 2 of the constitution, in relation to the quali-
fications of voters

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The bill proposes to amend the constitution to allow 17-year-old citi-
zens who will be 18 by the time of the general election to vote in the
corresponding primary election.

 
SUMMARY OF MAIN PROVISIONS:

The bill proposes to amend section 1 of Article 2 of the State Constitu-
tion to grant voting eligibility in primary elections to citizens who
are 17 years old at the time of the primary election, provided they will
be 18 years old by the time of the general election associated with that
primary.
              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The New York State Constitution limits voting eligibility to citizens
who are 18 years of age or older. This restriction prevents 17-year-old
citizens who will be eligible to vote in the general election from
participating in the primary election that determines the candidates for
that general election.

This constitutional amendment addresses the inconsistency by allowing
such individuals to vote in the primary election, ensuring that their
voices are heard throughout the entire electoral process. Currently, 21
states and Washington, D.C. offer 17-year-olds the opportunity to vote
in primaries if they will turn 18 by the time of the general election.
These states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,
Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio,
South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia, among others, as
well as Washington, D.C. This approach has been widely regarded as an
effective way to engage younger voters early and foster lifelong civic
participation.

By adopting this amendment, New York State would join these states in
ensuring that young voters have a say in selecting candidates who will
appear on the general election ballot.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

This is a new bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That the foregoing be referred to the
first regular legislative session convening after the next 14 succeeding
general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with
section 1 of Article 19 of the Constitution, be published for 3 months
previous to the time of such election.