Voter registration drive at city schools
They can’t vote just yet, but for the first time 16- and 17-year-old New Yorkers can preregister to cast a ballot in upcoming elections — and city officials hope the change will boost youth turnout.
A new state law allows teens to register as soon as they turn 16, and city officials are holding voter registration drives at city high schools and colleges this week to spread the word.
“I’m thrilled to kick off civics week this election year by encouraging as many students as possible to register to vote,” said city Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza, who visited Bryant High School in Queens on Monday morning to start the effort.
Previously, teens were allowed to preregister to vote during the calendar year of their 18th birthday.
Officials hope the change can help the state address its flagging youth turnout.
Only 17% of young New York State voters showed up at the polls for the 2018 elections.
By contrast, Colorado, Montana and Minnesota all saw youth turnout rates of more than 40%. The preregistration application requires proof of residence, age and citizenship.
City officials say they’ve registered nearly 30,000 students at school registration drives since 2015, but the new law gives them a wider range of potential new voters to sign up.
The voter registration drives are part of a larger push for political participation during “Civics for All” week in city schools. Students will also engage in budgeting exercises, town halls and public speaking competitions. “Our students are the future leaders of our city, and what we do now to empower them to vote will strengthen our democracy for years to come,” said Mayor de Blasio.