Bill > A08697

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to lower the voting age in New York from 18 to 16 years old, which would allow 16- and 17-year-old citizens to vote in all elections for public offices and on public referendum questions, provided they have been a resident of the state, county, city, or village for at least 30 days prior to the election. The proposed amendment requires referral to the first regular legislative session following the next general assembly election and must be published for three months before that election, in accordance with the state constitution's procedures for constitutional amendments. If passed, this change would make New York one of the first states to extend voting rights to 16-year-olds, potentially increasing youth political participation and engagement in the democratic process at an earlier age.