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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 7, 2021 11:11 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Brandon J. Markosek |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Pre-Register Our Future Voters (Former HB 704) |
| Civic engagement is critical for the future success of our democracy. More importantly, democracy works better when all citizens are given an opportunity to participate. We can foster such involvement at an early age by making it easier for young citizens to pre-register to vote. I plan to introduce legislation to permit 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote. My bill would allow the state to provide resources for history and social studies teachers to coordinate an annual voter registration/pre-registration event for high school students. Students who hold a valid driver’s license or state ID card would also be allowed to pre-register online. The pre-registrants would not be eligible to vote until they reach age 18, but they will be ready and registered when that day comes. Numerous states are already engaging their young people in the civic process through pre-registration. Fourteen states and Washington D.C. allow pre-registration beginning at 16 years old and four other states allow pre-registration beginning at 17 years old. It is time for Pennsylvania to do the same. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as HB623