State Representative Cory Mason (D-Racine) wants to give 17-year-olds the ability to vote in state and local elections. He has introduced an amendment to the state constitution that would allow most senior to cast ballots during their last year in high school. The lawmaker says he was impressed by the number of young people involved in last year's presidential campaign.
The Racine Democrat says young people today have as much to "win or lose" in the elections as policies on health care or education affect their lives too. Mason believes voting should be part of the high school curriculum in which 17-year-olds would cast their first ballot as part of Civics class.
At least 10 other states either allow 17-year-olds to vote in some elections or are considering making the change. The Wisconsin proposal would have to pass two consecutive sessions of the state legislature and a state wide referendum to take affect.