Two House Democrats have introduced a bill to allow 16- and 17-year olds to register as voters starting in 2024.
House Bill 217 is scheduled to be considered by the House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee on Saturday.
The bill’s chances for success are difficult to gauge. Last year, a provision lowering the voting age, included in the New Mexico Voting Rights Act, drew some support and criticism before it died on the session’s last day.
A similarly broad voting rights bill introduced this year already passed its first House committee Wednesday, but the legislation, House Bill 4, does not include an expanded voting-age provision.
Advocates for allowing younger people to vote say it can increase civic engagement and responsibility among teens. But critics say teens under 18 may not have fully formulated opinions on the many issues affecting them nationally or within the state.
Rep. Christine Trujillo, D-Albuquerque, said in an interview Wednesday 16- and 17-year-olds are tuned into world events though a variety of social media platforms. She said data streams to them on a continual basis and they can use that to inform themselves on what’s happening around them.
Regarding concerns teens that age may not be mature enough to cast ballots, Trujillo said you can also say that about “immature” adults.
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