Sen. Slossberg Reminds 17-Year-Old Citizens of Right to Vote in Presidential Primaries

From the Connecticut General Assembly:

This November, hundreds of Connecticut residents will have turned 18 years old and be able to vote in their first presidential election. Thursday, April 21, Sen. Slossberg (D-Milford) reminded the state’s 17-year-old citizens that they are eligible to vote in the upcoming Democratic and Republican presidential primaries if they will turn 18 by Election Day, which will be Tuesday, November 8. Senator Slossberg championed the passage and enactment of this law when she served as Senate chair of the Government Administration and Elections Committee.

“Voting is the foundation of our democracy, and I believe that our state and country are better served by allowing more people to vote,” said Senator Slossberg. “This law allows 17-year-olds to have a say in who they will be considering when it comes time to vote in the general election. This is a common sense policy that will encourage Connecticut’s young people to become more engaged in their communities and the democratic process.”

Connecticut’s presidential primaries will be held on April 26. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Any person standing in line at the polls at 8 p.m. will be allowed to cast their vote. Voter registration forms, absentee ballot applications and voting locations can be found on the Secretary of State’s website. Connecticut citizens who will be 18 years old by Election Day can register to vote while they are 17 years old, enrolling with the party whose primary they want to participate in.

Connecticut is one of several states that allow 17-year-olds to vote in both Democratic and Republican presidential primaries. Research has shown that the earlier in life a person casts a vote, the more likely they are to form a life-long habit of voting. This year will be the second time in state history that 17-year-olds can vote in presidential primaries.