SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Hundreds of New Mexico teenagers are capitalizing on a new state law that allows 17-year-olds who will be 18 the day of the election in November to vote in the June primary.
More than 800 teens in New Mexico have registered to vote in June with more than half registering as Democrats. The deadline to register to vote in state primaries is May 10.
New Mexico's new law, which takes effect on May 18, the day of the primary, puts the state among about 20 states that permit 17-year-olds to cast ballots in party primaries.
As the change takes place in a presidential election year, young voters say they are particularly motivated to vote.