Registering to vote is a rite of passage for teens, and now many can celebrate this milestone a year earlier: A new state law grants eligible 17-year-olds the right to vote in the Primary Election for the first time.
Under the New Voter Empowerment Act, a 17-year-old who will turn 18 by the November
General Election will be eligible to cast a ballot in the June Primary Election. Prior to this legislation, a 17-year-old could register to vote, but would not be able to vote until they turned 18.
Now, they can cast their ballot in the Republican or Democratic Primary Election as long as they will turn 18 by the time of the November General Election (which is always the first Tuesday in November). That means young voters will have to declare their party affiliation when registering.
If a 17-year-old registered to vote prior to this law being signed, they can declare their party registration either online or by mail before the Primary Election, or in person at the polls.
If they don’t want to declare a party, then they can’t vote until the General Election anyway, according to federal rules.
The law goes into effect ahead of this year’s June 2 primary; early voting opens up on May 26.
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!
