Facts in Focus: - States considering legislation this year to
expand opportunities for young voters: 15 (at least) - States
considering advance voter registration for young people: 7 -
Number of votes in favor of final passage of state legislation
establishing age 16 as a uniform voter registration age,
2006-2009: 979 - Number of votes opposing such legislation: 158
- Votes in both houses of the Connecticut legislature opposing a
bill allowing primary voting for 17-year-olds: 0 In a nutshell
As a key element in what is welcome progress toward universal
voter registration, a movement is growing within the states to
swing the doors of our democracy wide open, encouraging and
facilitating the active participation of young people in the
electoral process. From education, to access, to advance
registration, more and more legislators and public officials are
doing their part to invite young people into the process and
kick start habits that can last a lifetime. When it comes to the
political participation of young