Some 17-Year-Olds In Connecticut Will Get To Vote In Primaries
HARTFORD, CT (CBSNewYork) - In Connecticut, if you are 18-years-old by the general election on November 6, you are eligible to preregister and vote in the primaries.
That means some people who are 17-years-old now will get to vote.
WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau On The Story
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Deputy Secretary of the State James Spallone told WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau that eligible teens will have to enroll with a political party. Connecticut has closed primaries.
Spallone worked to get the eligibility measure passed as a state lawmaker.
"Our hope is that this in some small way will help them become lifelong voters," he told Schneidau. Spallone said he thinks this is a terrific way to get high school students engaged in the political process.
To register, visit the Secretary of the State's website or call Spallone's office at 860-509-6212 for more information.
The presidential primary is on April 24, the same day as New York. Earlier this week, former Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum suspended his campaign, making it even more likely that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will be the Republican nominee.
The Senate primary is on August 14, where candidates are vying for the nomination to replace retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman.
Among the Republicans are former U.S. Rep. Chris Shays and former WWE executive Linda McMahon. A recent Quinnipiac University poll has McMahon leading Shays, 51 percent to 42 percent.
Among the Democrats are U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy and former Connecticut Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz.
Do you like that 17-year-olds are being allowed to vote in the Connecticut primaries? Sound off in the comments section below!
