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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Ann
Collis |
State Rep. Richard T.
Grucela |
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Grucela reintroduces bill to allow some 17-year-olds to vote in primaries
Would allow them to vote in spring if they will be 18 by general election
HARRISBURG, Feb. 23 -- State Rep. Rich Grucela, D-Northampton, has introduced a bill that would allow 17-year-olds to register and vote in primary elections in Pennsylvania if they will be 18 by the time of that year’s general election.
“Current law excludes some young voters from determining the candidates who will later run in the main election,” Grucela said, who taught at Easton Area High School for 31 years. “That is only half the process. If we allow a young person to vote at 18 for elected officials, we should allow them to vote in primaries and decide the candidates they will choose from.”
According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, the 2004 presidential election witnessed the highest level of national youth voter participation in over a decade, and a youth voter turnout rate of 48 percent in Pennsylvania, up 15 percentage points from 2000. Overall, the turnout rate among 18- to 29-year-olds in Pennsylvania ranked 32nd among all states and the District of Columbia in 2004.
“Both national and local issues have spurred a heightened interest in young people who want their voice to be heard,” Grucela said. “It doesn’t make any sense to bar someone from fully participating in the election process simply because their birthday is a few months shy of the primary date.
“My hope is that this bill will encourage young people to be active participants in the election process and instill the desire to determine their future through responsible voting. Responsible voting includes deciding who best represents their party and interests in an election.”
According to the Youth Voting Coalition, those 18 to 30 make up 24 percent of all eligible voters in the United States. When all 73.3 million of those under 18 reach voting age, they will be a larger group than the 71.8 million baby boomers.
The legislation, H.B.
520, soon will be referred to a House committee for consideration.
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