Why did my 16 year old get a voter registration card from MoCo?

[Anonymous]

He’ll be 17 in September, but that’s too young to vote, right?

So why did he get an official letter with a voter ID card from the board of elections in MoCO today?

He says he was asked to identify a party affiliation when he got his learners, but this ID card lists our polling place, his name, address, voter Id #, etc.

[Anonymous]

In MOCO you’re permitted to register at 16 but can’t vote until you’re 18. Registering early means that you don’t accidentally miss deadlines that prevent you from voting in an election.

[Anonymous]

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Elections/registration/faq.html#May%20I

[Anonymous]

Thx!

[Anonymous]

In Takoma Park you can vote in local races at 16.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps because you can register to vote at 16 in Montgomery County.

[Anonymous]

My son got one today too and he also is only 16- Howard county His says unaffiliated. I'm shocked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son got one today too and he also is only 16- Howard county His says unaffiliated. I'm shocked.

Shocked? As in "wow they grow up so fast" or "how dare my son not be affiliated with a part" or that you were unaware of your child's rights or what?

In Maryland, you can register to vote at 16 but cannot vote in a primary or general election unless you will be 18 by the general election.

[Anonymous]

My 16 year old just got his license in Prince George’s County and was prompted to register to vote at the DMV. It was one of the screening questions to get the license mailed to him. He registered. He chose what I party he wanted (the standard two were there along with independent as I recall). I was surprised and asked the woman behind the counter and she said you can’t vote until 18 but can register at 16. Seems they push early registration so you are in the system before the time comes to vote in Maryland.

[Anonymous]

It makes sense. Many 18 year olds are probably not going to take the initiative to figure out how to register. This way they are ready to go,

[Anonymous]

lol people are mad that Maryland is efficient at getting their citizens registered.

People will find anything to be mad about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In MOCO you’re permitted to register at 16 but can’t vote until you’re 18. Registering early means that you don’t accidentally miss deadlines that prevent you from voting in an election.

This is really wrong of them to do. They should NOT be doing this. When you turn 18 you're an adult and as an adult you can figure out how to register to vote should you wish. SMH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MOCO you’re permitted to register at 16 but can’t vote until you’re 18. Registering early means that you don’t accidentally miss deadlines that prevent you from voting in an election.

This is really wrong of them to do. They should NOT be doing this. When you turn 18 you're an adult and as an adult you can figure out how to register to vote should you wish. SMH.

It's right of them, and they should be doing it. Voter registration should be easy, not hard. We've been doing "motor voter" in the US since at least the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. That was back in the days when it was a bipartisan position to support policies to increase voter registration and voting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MOCO you’re permitted to register at 16 but can’t vote until you’re 18. Registering early means that you don’t accidentally miss deadlines that prevent you from voting in an election.

This is really wrong of them to do. They should NOT be doing this. When you turn 18 you're an adult and as an adult you can figure out how to register to vote should you wish. SMH.

And what if your 18th birthday is November 4th, 2024? Does being 18 magically teach you how to "figure out" how to go back in time to submit your voter registration in time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In MOCO you’re permitted to register at 16 but can’t vote until you’re 18. Registering early means that you don’t accidentally miss deadlines that prevent you from voting in an election.

This is really wrong of them to do. They should NOT be doing this. When you turn 18 you're an adult and as an adult you can figure out how to register to vote should you wish. SMH.

Why is it “really wrong”? Can you elaborate? Is there something nefarious about registering to vote? It’s not like it compels the person to vote afterward. It just makes it easier to do so if they’d like to when they’re 18. What is “really wrong” about that?