Posted on 05/09/2003 5:37:46 AM PDT by Lil'freeper
In city, some get to vote at age 16
Situation caused by gap between Sept. primary and Nov. '04 election
By Doug Donovan Sun Staff
May 9, 2003
Many of Baltimore's 16-year-olds will be eligible to vote in September's primary - an anomaly in election history, officials say.
The unusually long, 14-month gap between the Sept. 9 primary and next year's general election created this oddity, which city and state officials had not anticipated when they recently failed to negotiate a new primary date.
Under election laws, residents are eligible to vote in this September's primary as long as they turn 17 by this Nov. 2, which would make them 18 by Nov. 2, 2004, the date of the next general election.
...SNIP...
Most primaries occur three to six months before general elections, Hansen said. A 14-month lag affords 16-year-olds in Baltimore an opportunity that many of their peers in other states have been fighting to achieve.
....SNIP...
"It's imperative that younger people get involved," Dixon said. "I think 16-year-olds are capable of voting for mayor, council president and City Council."
Mitch Klein, head organizer of the community activist group ACORN, intends to hold registration drives targeting 16 year olds. "The 16-year-olds in this city should have the right to vote because their schools don't have what they need," Klein said. "The question is how to organize them."
...SNIP...
Sean Scott, who testified before the General Assembly about his local public library being closed, said he can hardly wait to vote. He intends to register by the Aug. 19 deadline.
"In school they tell you how important it is to vote," the teen said. "If I get my chance before I turn 18, that's a good thing."
Copyright © 2003, The Baltimore Sun
(Excerpt) Read more at baltimoresun.com ...
BTW, a search for the title turned up nothing. Apologies if this is a duplicate.
.... or a teacher.
"Gee, class. I sure hope so-and-so doesn't get elected. If he does, we won't be able to afford electricity next year" *sigh*
Under election laws, residents are eligible to vote in this September's primary as long as they turn 17 by this Nov. 2, which would make them 18 by Nov. 2, 2004, the date of the next general election.
While we're at it, let's just drop it down to 11 or 12. After all, the start of puberty used to be considered a benchmark for adulthood.
Better yet, let's give kids the right to vote the moment they come out of the womb and use parents as proxies. After all, larger families should be able to have a larger say than couples without kids or singles.
[Searching for the button to turn off sarcasm]
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.