Senate Bill 436 is currently being reviewed by Congress. If it’s passed, 17-year-olds across the country will be eligible to vote in local, state and Presidential primaries as long as their 18 by Election Day. At Rock the Vote, we know the sooner young folks become involved in making decisions that shape our country, the more likely we will continue to exercise our voting right. In fact, 11 states allow 17-year-olds to vote; and participation by young voters between 18-24 in those states exceed the national average. If the steady rise in young voter turnout we’ve witnessed since ’04 is any indication of our increased interest in politics, let’s hope Congress is wise and passes a bill that will continue to empower, engage and encourage the next generation to be involved and believe in our Country’s political process and system.