North Carolina Association of Teen Democrats

Teen Democrats, did you know that you can preregister to vote even if you're only 16 years old? Last summer, the NC General Assembly passed legislation sponsored by state Rep. Tricia Cotham (D-Mecklenburg) to allow 16 and 17 year olds to preregister to vote. What does that mean? You or any of your friends can fill out the same voter registration form as anyone else if you are at least 16 and a U.S. citizen, and then you will automatically be registered to vote as soon as you turn 18. This legislation is so important because it opens up the political process to teens in a way that is unprecedented. I encourage all of you to make this a major project for your chapters and get as many people preregistered to vote as possible. Have your friends fill out the forms. Hold a drive at your school. Let's show everyone that young people care about our democracy and are exciting about the political process in 2010 and beyond!

You can find the forms here and a list of instructions and county boards of elections addresses here.

Thanks everyone and let's work hard to get as many teens preregistered to vote as possible!

Peter Alfredson

President, North Carolina Association of Teen Democrats