17-Yr-Old BC Central High School Students Pre-Register To Vote
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(MyBayCity Photo)
For many years, Michigan has been home to many great American traditions: Mackinac Island fudge, the auto industry, and musical greats Eminem, Madonna and Kid Rock, just to name a few. But, as of July 25th, it was also home to a State House of Representatives that passed legislation that allows Michigan residents to have a voter registration address separate from their permanent address.
This change was especially important to the younger, college generation, who may reside and register to vote in Michigan, but attend college in Illinois, California, etc.
Across the country, state legislators are amending election laws to enfranchise young people and raise young voter turnout.
To register in Michigan you must:
Correct?
Not entirely . . . Due to recent changes, (January, 2008), a 17-year-old may pre-register to vote as long as they turn 18 before the next Election. This allows high school students, at age 17, to get involved and ensure that their voice will matter. Upon turning age 18, their voter registration cards are sent directly to them.
The effort to entice local high school students at age 17 to register to vote was spearheaded by Mitchell Rivard, a student from Western High School in Auburn and Cindy Luczak, Bay County Clerk.
A few weeks ago, Rivard spent a Job Shadowing day with Bay County Clerk, Cindy Luczak. She suggested to him that one of his efforts should be getting his peer's to pre-register to vote....and that he did! Mitchell went from school district to school district encouraging a day of voter registration for students, ages 17-18. Mitchell distributed over 1,000 voter registration forms that day!
"One problem in the past was students were getting their licenses to drive at age 16 and not renewing until they turned 20, therefore, those potential voters (age group) slipped through the cracks. Now, they are getting involved and it is fantastic", said Luczak.
(MyBayCity Photo)
In a bipartisan effort, Michigan State Reps. Bill Caul (R) and Mark Meadows (D) have co-sponsored a bill in the Michigan House of Representatives which would allow 17-year-olds who would be 18 by the time of a general election the chance to vote in a primary.
"We found in East Lansing, before we eliminated the primary, that in the general election there were not individuals on the ballot the students had a say in choosing," Meadows said. "This would be a positive first step because it would allow people who could vote in November anyway to vote and make sure they turned out for the November election."
(MyBayCity Photo)
"I think it's great for people our age. We should have a say in our future", said Bay City Central High School student Liz Mitchell, age 17.
Don Tilley is the Social Studies Chair at Bay City Central High School and County Commissioner. "This is a good thing for high school students", Tilley said. "It gets them motivated to have a voice at an early age. It allows them (students) to really see what's going on in the world and brings forth the desire to be a part of that change", Tilley said.
(MyBayCity Photo)
"It's wonderful to see young people want to get involved and be politically active. The benefits down the road to the next generation will be very positive. Early interest and involvement encourages them (students) to be vocal where and when it matters in the future", said Bay City Mayor, Charles Brunner.
Bay City Central student Terrell Putnam could not agree more. "This makes it easier for the younger generation to have community involvement," Putnam, age 18, said. "Our opinions do matter and should be counted to help get things changed. Voting is primarily something you don't even think about let alone get involved in until your older . . . maybe now, the younger generation involvement will equal to the older participation", said Putman.
Currently there is another bid in for legislation to support 16 year olds the opportunity to have their say (vote) in school board elections. MyBayCity.com is following this latest bid and will be the first to inform you of the outcome!
If You Have Information On This Or Other "News-Worthy" Subjects That You Would Like To See Have A "Voice", Call (989) 892-8501
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