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17-year-olds now have more voter rights

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Illinois

Individuals who will be 18 years old at the next election are now able to fully participate in the election process under legislation sponsored by Senator Dan McConchie and signed into law by Governor Rauner on August 5.

“There’s no reason to say that 17-year-olds have the right to vote and prevent them from otherwise participating in the election process,” said Senator McConchie. “Now, qualified 17-year-olds can sign and circulate petitions, pre-register to vote and act as deputy registrars. This new law makes the voting rights that 17-year-olds already have more complete.”

The new law also acts as an expansion of a 2013 law that allowed 17-year-olds who would be 18 by the general election to vote in the primary election. House Bill 6167 went a bit further to allow 17-year-olds the ability to vote in a caucus or a consolidated primary as long as they would be 18 when the corresponding election takes place.

“As the state has already decided that 17-year-olds should be allowed to vote in general primary elections for federal, state and county office, they then too should be allowed to have a say at the local level,” said Sen. McConchie.

Agreed. Good bill.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 12:30 pm

Comments

I know it would be considered another ‘mandate’ but I do wish it was a requirement that students be made aware of their voting rights. We teach ‘government’ and ‘consumer economics’ but it’s usually up to the teacher to keep the kids apprised of these changes. My son could have voted in the 2014 primary, but wasn’t aware of the change (neither was I, frankly) until it was too late. No time was spent on voting rights at all. I remember my own civics classes back in the mastadon age being pretty explicit on when you could vote and that it was a responsibility of living in a free society.

Comment by Not quite a majority Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 12:37 pm
=My son could have voted in the 2014 primary, but wasn’t aware of the change (neither was I, frankly) until it was too late. No time was spent on voting rights at all. I remember my own civics classes back in the mastadon age being pretty explicit on when you could vote and that it was a responsibility of living in a free society.=

Schools do teach students about their voting rights and it is a part of the Illinois Constitution test. Has been for years.

= My son could have voted in the 2014 primary, but wasn’t aware of the change (neither was I, frankly) until it was too late=

It is your responsibility to be aware. Maybe you should start paying attention more? Democracy is an active responsibility.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 12:51 pm
This seems incredible reasonable. Which must be why the right wing fringe is so up in arms:

http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2016/08/06/17-year-olds-given-more-citizenship-rights/

Sigh…

Comment by alabamashake Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 1:07 pm
To the post: Good legislation.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 1:12 pm
There is no Right to Vote in the Constitution.

This is just another example of a law so that a group of people cannot be denied the right to vote.

But no Right.

Comment by Doug Simpson Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 1:14 pm
@Doug Simpson: perhaps you’re familiar with the 14th, 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th Amendments — all of which specifically mention “the right of citizens of the United States to vote”?

Comment by thunderspirit Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 1:22 pm
@ alabamashake 1:07 — Thanks for that link. It was amusing and I even learned some things, for example “Even the guy in the White House is using a social security number which belongs to a guy in Connecticut.” That’s a new one to me. Could be a good deal for the guy in Connecticut.
As to the legislation, excellent idea.

Comment by Just Chilling Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 1:32 pm
Good job.

Now we know why the Guv spent all that time at the high schools. /s

Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 1:34 pm
“SECTION 1. VOTING QUALIFICATIONS
Every United States citizen who has attained the age of
18 or any other voting age required by the United States for
voting in State elections and who has been a permanent
resident of this State for at least 30 days next preceding
any election shall have the right to vote at such election.”
Actually you do have a Right to Vote in the Constitution, actually the right is in all 50 State Constitutions.

Comment by Guy Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 1:35 pm
==Maybe you should start paying attention more?==

That’s pretty flippant don’t you think? Especially coming from an educator. I’m disappointed that a person responsible for educating our kids would make such a statement. Maybe a better answer would be we as educators should do our best to make sure our students are aware of these things instead of just saying “not my problem.”

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 1:37 pm
Wait a second, we are entrusting our ultimate civic responsibility to a group whose brain’s are not fully developed? Haven’t we been paying attention? they act impulsively, without regard to the long term consequences of their decisions. At this age they can’t be entrusted to avoid criminal acts, joining the military, continue a pregnancy (or not), nor vote! The Brain Science Says So! OR 17 year olds CAN be trusted to make important life-changing decisions….. The law can be so contradictory and confusing. /s

Comment by Joe Cannon Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:02 pm
Notice the timing of the bill signing - the day after IPI filed its suit to stop voters from registering on Election Day.

These folks are all about the message. Now, anytime Bruce is asked about the IPI suit, he can tout his pro-voter bona fides. He’s having the last word.

Comment by Louis Capricious Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:03 pm
==My son could have voted in the 2014 primary, but wasn’t aware of the change (neither was I, frankly) until it was too late. No time was spent on voting rights at all.==

I think your son could have fallen into the gap of students who would have had the Constitution test before the law was passed. I know my school has their mandated semester long class during junior year. It would be another year + a few months until the Illinois primaries for first semester and a little under a year for second semester.

That said, now that the law is changed, I’m betting teachers aren’t missing the learning opportunity.

Comment by Timmeh Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:06 pm
This is a good law, and it built on a good law. Good policy is good politics.

Comment by Moist von Lipwig Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:08 pm
At 17 you can enlist, with parental consent (as I did) or on your own if you are a emancipated minor. I enlisted one such emancipated minor when I was a Recruiter. If a 17yr old can take on the responsibility of enlistment, they should be able to handle voting. They could do no worse than adults who vote, and maybe since Civics classes are fresher in their heads, they may be better voters.

Comment by FormerParatrooper Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:28 pm
I think all new laws should be printed on the front page of all newspapers.

Comment by Mama Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:29 pm
Good news for Bernie.

Comment by Groucho Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:36 pm
This is an excellent law.

Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 2:40 pm
@thunderspirit:

Thank you for your post. Your agreeing with me. There are some Amendments to the Constitution giving additional groups access to vote (i.e., 18 year olds). But there is no overall Right to Vote….unlike Freedom of Speech contained in the 1st Amendment.

Comment by Doug Simpson Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 3:24 pm
Good!

I would have taken advantage of this my senior year of h.s. when the primary came earlier than my birthday. I got so annoyed by my classmates who could already legally vote and even miss class to cast ballots, but were too lazy and/or disinterested to do it.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Aug 8, 16 @ 4:40 pm