If you know a politically active 17-year old -- here's an important link you should forward to them. (And maybe even, if they're not-so 'politically active' -- afterall, its "their future" on-line.)
From fairvote.org -- the Center for Voting and Democracy ...
17-year-old Primary Voting
Increasing Youth Engagement Through Participation
FairVote advocates that states and political parties act to allow citizens who will be 18 years old on or before the general election to vote in their party’s corresponding primary or caucus. A notable portion of citizens who have the right to vote in the general election in November currently do not have a voice in determining who will be on that general election ballot. Granting voting rights in primaries and caucuses to these 17-year-olds is only fair and will increase their political engagement through participation. Policymakers can implement this reform by state law or party rule.
Facts about 17-year-old Primary and Caucus Voting:
• 17-year-olds can vote in primaries and caucuses in half of U.S. states
States include: Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia, Vermont, and Washington. Most have done this by state law, but others by changing rules in parties.
[...]
In 2008, there were more than four million 17-year-olds in America
• Young eligible voters (18 to 29 year-olds) have traditionally voted at the lowest rates because they are not prepared for participation.
• This policy ensures more young people are on the voter rolls and prepared to participate in the general election.
[... more ...]
H/T to
SergeantSwordfish over at Reddit, for bringing these youth-friendly facts to our attention.
Once again those Youth-Voter friendly states are:
Alaska
Connecticut
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Mississippi
Nebraska
Nevada
North Dakota
Ohio
Oregon
Virginia
Vermont
Washington
And don't forget to Vote. Get those 17-year old young people to Vote too.