Illinois House Passes Proposal to Lower Primary Voting Age

The Illinois House approved legislation on Wednesday that would lower the voting age for some teenagers. Chris Slaby has more.

The proposal would allow 17-year olds to vote in primary elections, as long as they’re 18 by the General Election in November.

Representative Jerry Costello (D-Smithton) pointed out that 17-year olds can serve in the military.

COSTELLO: “There are men and women who have given their lives for our country at 17. They deserve the right to vote.”

But Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) says if military service is the justification for lowering the voting age ,

BOST: “How about we work with the U-S government and then make it to where if they join the military, they can?”

In the end, the House overwhelmingly approved the measure, 95-22.

It now heads to the Illinois Senate.