New Voter Registration Law:
21-A MSRA A?§111-A. Voting age qualification for primary elections: A person who has not yet reached 18 years of age but will be 18 years of age at the time of a general election and meets all other qualifications in order to vote in a primary election may vote in the primary election for the selection of candidates to be on the ballot at that general election.
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/21-A/title21-Asec111-A.html
Voters Guide for 2005
www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/votguid05.htm
Young people are the future of our country, and I hope that everyone who is approaching the age where they can finally vote will get involved, regardless of their political views. Politics is the way we translate our hopes for our communities and families into reality, and our country is stronger for the rich political debates that our Constitution’s First Amendment protects.
Students should know that a new law allows youth to register to vote when they are 17 years old, as long as they will turn 18 by the date of the next General Election on Nov. 7, 2006. The link above to the Maine Voter Guide is a little out of date, but it works. Youth could learn there and from their town clerks how to register to vote. They can register at their town hall anytime now.
If you know you’re a Republican or think you may want to be, you should contact the State Republican Party at 622-6247 or www.mainegop.com. Maine also has an active College Republicans Chapter, http://mainecr.org. The Green Independent Party’s Web site is www.mainegreens.org, and they can be reached at 623-1919. Each of these parties will be having Conventions and other Party electoral activities leading up to this fall’s General Election.
It’s no secret that I’m an active Democrat, so I can give more details about that. In non-Presidential years, the Democratic Party Primary Election is where we elect nominees for state and federal positions, such as governor, senator and congressperson. However, to refresh the leadership (and “workership”) and mission of the Party, we also hold a statewide Caucus Day, when registered Democrats meet in each Maine town to elect officials, conduct business, and elect delegates to the State Convention. This year the Caucus will be held Sunday, Feb. 26.
Students should come to their Town Caucus a little early to register. There will be a voter registration period for a half-hour before the caucus. In Standish, the caucus will be held at the Steep Falls Fire Barn on Boundary Road/Route 113 from 3 to 5 p.m., with voter registration from 2:30 to 3 p.m. The time and location of each town caucus is on the Maine Democratic Party Web site: www.mainedems.org.
Additionally, the Party welcomes visits by students who are too young to register to vote. Some government classes will be interested in bringing students to observe their town Democratic caucus, or similar events with other political parties.
From the new law, it’s also apparent that qualifying 17-year-olds would be eligible to be elected, at the Town Caucus, as delegates to each party’s State Convention. The Democratic Convention is held in June at the Augusta Civic Center.
The Cumberland County Democratic Committee invites area youth to participate in the process of electing our state and local officials this year. Eligible 17-year-olds are encouraged to register and attend the caucus, to run for elected offices in the Party and to attend the State Convention as delegates. Younger students are also encouraged to visit the caucus and to participate in the convention as pages.
For more information, teachers, parents, and youth may contact County Democratic Committee Chair Marilyn Russell, 892-2778, or the Republican and Green Party office numbers listed above.
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