Title
To increase public awareness of the Ohio Secretary of State's Vote @ 17 initiative, and to encourage eligible seventeen-year-olds to register to vote.
Body
WHEREAS, the right to vote in free and fair elections is a sacred right, and profound civic responsibility, of the American people; and
WHEREAS, the vitality of American democracy depends on the active and informed participation of citizens of all ages, including those who will assume the leadership of our city, state, and nation in the coming decades; and
WHEREAS, Ohio law allows seventeen-year-olds who will be eighteen years old on or before the date of the next general election to vote in the preceding primary election, though not on one-time questions like school levies and statewide ballot issues ; and
WHEREAS, eligible seventeen-year-olds can download a voter registration form at www.voteat17.com <http://www.voteat17.com> and return it before April 5th to be able to vote in the primary election; and
WHEREAS, in so doing, young voters can exercise a right that generations of Americans have fought to secure, extend, and defend; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby encourage eligible seventeen-year-olds to submit their voter registration forms and take their rightful place as participants in our American democracy.