Res 0695-2015

By Council Members Rosenthal, Kallos, Constantinides, Cumbo, Johnson, Richards, Rose, Gentile, Menchaca, Miller, Lander, Cohen, Van Bramer and Levin Whereas, The U.S. Census Bureau found that in 2010 only 46.6% of eligible New York voters between the ages of 16 and 24 were registered to vote; and Whereas, New York State does not currently allow 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote; and Whereas, Over one dozen states allow 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote; and Whereas, Advocates argue that young adults who are engaged in the election process at an early age are more likely to stay engaged in the political process and continue to meet their civic duty to vote; and Whereas, At the age of 16 many youth first interact with the Department of Motor Vehicles, making it an appropriate time and place for collecting information for voter pre-registration; and Whereas, In New York City, school is still compulsory for 16- and 17-year olds, making school an appropriate venue for providing information on and encouraging pre-registration and registration; and Whereas, Submission of voter registration or pre-registration forms would not interfere with the education of students, as it would not be a course requirement or graded assignment for students; and Whereas, A2529/S857, legislation introduced in the New York State Assembly and Senate, respectively, during the 2015-2016 legislative session, would require local boards of education to adopt policies to promote student voter registration and pre-registration; and Whereas, A2529/S857 would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote; and Whereas, A version of these bills from last session, A2042, passed the Assembly in 2013 and 2014, but its companion bill S1992 died in the Senate both years; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A2529/S857, allowing 16 and 17 year-olds to pre-register to vote. ma/dss LS 2447 5/5/15