To: President Donald Trump, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate
Give All of America's Teenagers the Ability to Pre-Register to Vote
I call on our nation's lawmakers to enact federal legislation that will encourage America's young citizens to take an active role in our democracy. Federal legislation that gives teenagers the ability to pre-register to vote at age 16 or 17 and be automatically added to the voter rolls when they turn 18 has the potential to increase voter turnout by young people. It also will help inspire them to pay attention to the issues in our country with the knowledge that they will soon be responsible for leading America by participating in the voting process.
A federal pre-registration law will create a uniform age for pre-registration across the country. More states are passing laws that enable teenagers to pre-register, and now is the time to ensure all of America's young people have this opportunity. High school students are required to take civics, and these lessons should go beyond lectures, textbooks, and homework. Allowing teenagers to pre-register to vote at the same time they are involved in civics class and are gaining the privilege to drive for the first time will send a strong message that our leaders expect them to become informed, responsible, and active citizens.
I call on you, my leaders, in the name of all our future leaders, whether they be Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Independent. Help us. Show us that you value our opinions and our voices. The nation is watching. Show us that you can come together in the name of America's future.
Why is this important?
Many states across America have pre-registration for young people. But others don't. In my home state of North Carolina, the opportunity for teen pre-registration was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in 2009--and was enacted in 2010. But just three years later, pre-registration was taken away from us with the passage of a 56 page law that attacked voting rights in my home state.
I’m determined to get this opportunity back by the time I turn 16 in four years--not just for myself, but for young people across America. The best way to make that happen is a federal pre-registration law for 16 and 17 year olds. But I can’t do this without the help of the current leaders in my government.