Florida Approves 16-year-old Advance Registration
June 12th, 2007
Adam
Adam is Right to Vote Director at FairVote.
Exciting news for voter registration reform! Florida’s Governor Charlie Crist recently signed a measure to rework voter registration policy, dropping the voter registration age from 17 to 16 years old (when applying for a driver’s license). New drivers can now automatically opt in to receive a voter registration card on their 18th birthday. It’s another step in the right direction for increasing voter turnout, and towards FairVote’s envisioned universal registration.
Late registration plagues the young end of the voter spectrum across the nation, resulting in a relatively low voting percentage. With this reform, young voters are given a running start in to the voting practice, a year earlier than before, which should result in a boost for young voter turnout.
Florida now joins Hawaii with allowing 16-year-olds to register. Rhode Island’s legislature passed a similar bill in 2006, although it was vetoed by the governor. Similar proposals have been offered in Maryland, Minnesota and Michigan this legislative session.
Other posts by Adam
- Election Deception and, of course, long lines... - November 4th, 2008
- VoterStory.org - November 3rd, 2008
- Organize After Election Day - October 31st, 2008
- National Report Shows Big Problems in Big Counties - October 27th, 2008
- New Report Shows Virginia May Have Election Day Problems - October 20th, 2008
- YouTube Wants You to "Video Your Vote" - October 16th, 2008
- Colorado May Have Election Day Problems - October 6th, 2008
- New FairVote Report Gives New Mexico Elections Mixed Review - September 8th, 2008
- New Study: Missouri May Experience Long Lines in November - August 28th, 2008
- NYTimes Features Upcoming FairVote Report - July 21st, 2008
June 12th, 2007 at 11:53 am
Here’s a link to the article: http://cbs4.com/topstories/local_story_162160313.html
June 12th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Does it seem probable that the voting age will ever be lowered again? Are these the preliminary steps toward legislation that will allow you to get a DL and register to vote, or are we headed in a totally different direction?
June 13th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Would you like to see the voting age lowered, Lazer? I think states are moving in the direction of making it easier for young people to register to vote. This is what we see in Florida’s legislation where they will allow young people to register at 16 and then automatically send them a registration card at 18. All too often, young people do not register because they either don’t know they have to or start paying attention to the election after the registration deadline has already passed.
June 26th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
[...] him how much it will ease the burden on government officials in processing registrations. Tell him states like Florida are already moving ahead with advance registration. Tell him you think it’s the right thing to [...]