Illinois Joins States That Allow 17-Year-Olds to Vote in Primaries

Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois joins at least 20 states that set a younger age limit for primary voters, citing a national voting advocacy group.

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Beginning next year, 17-year-olds can vote in Illinois party primary elections as long as they will be 18 by the time of the following general election, under a measure Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law Wednesday.

 
The Democratic governor signed the bill at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, where faculty and students pushed the legislation. Quinn said Illinois joins at least 20 states that set a younger age limit for primary voters, citing a national voting advocacy group.
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Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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