New York Lawmakers Proposed Allowing 17-Year-Olds to Vote

The proposed constitutional amendment would allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections if they turn 18 by the general election.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration depicting a stylized ballot box merging into the silhouette of a capitol building. — New York lawmakers have proposed a constitutional amendment to permit 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections if they turn 18 by the general election. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should 17-year-olds who will be 18 by the general election be allowed to vote in primaries?

On March 6, 2025, New York lawmakers introduced a constitutional amendment to allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections. The measure applies to residents who will reach the age of 18 by the time of the subsequent general election.

Why it matters

Proponents of the measure argue that individuals who are eligible to vote in a general election should have a say in selecting the candidates who appear on the ballot. This change aims to expand participation for young voters during the candidate selection process.

The proposal, designated as Assembly Bill A6590 and Senate bill S3231, amends Article II, Section 1 of the New York Constitution. The amendment requires approval by two successive legislative sessions followed by voter approval.

The players

Assembly Committee on Election Law

This is the legislative body in New York responsible for reviewing and vetting proposed changes to the state's voting procedures and election regulations.

The details

The bills have been referred to the Assembly Committee on Election Law for further consideration. Under the current New York state Constitution, voters must be at least 18 years of age to cast a ballot in any election.

March 6, 2025: The proposal was introduced in the New York Assembly.

Political Context

Critics of the measure often raise concerns about the maturity of younger voters and potential partisan impacts on primary outcomes. Opponents may argue that the constitutional threshold of 18 years is a foundational standard that should remain undisturbed for primary contests.

If the amendment is eventually ratified, eligible 17-year-olds would gain the right to participate in party primaries, potentially changing the voting demographic in future cycles. This could influence which candidates advance to the general election, impacting the choices available to all voters.

The takeaway

Expanding primary voting rights to 17-year-olds represents an effort to increase youth civic engagement in the candidate selection process. Voters interested in this shift should monitor the progress of A6590 and S3231 as they move through future legislative sessions.