The last week has seen a huge amount of media attention for NYRA and the voting age issue. A bill proposed by California state senator John Vasconcellos (D- Santa Clara) would, if passed, give 16 year olds one half of a vote, and fourteen year olds one fourth of a vote. While this bill is…
On March 2nd, “Super Tuesday” members of NYRA’s Berkeley, California chapter protested the voting age. Led by area member Robert Reynolds, they got up early together against ageism. The group, consisting of six students and other supporters of all ages, held up signs with slogans such as “Got a ballot? We need them”. At one…
Robert Reynolds of NYRA’s Berkeley, California chapter is organizing a sit-in to protest the voting age. Robert and half a dozen chapter members, will try to vote in their state’s primary election on Tuesday, March 2. In all likelihood they will not be permitted to vote, and will “sit in” until forcefully removed by police….
In early 2002 the US Congress passed the Bi-Partisan Campaign Reform Act, which made contributions to political parties or candidates by individuals under 18 illegal. On December 10, 2003 the Supreme Court struck down this onerous provision of the Campaign Reform Act. Some candidates for President haven’t gotten the message yet. Despite the fact it…
On Tuesday, January 13th, NYRA President Alex Koroknay-Palicz appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio to discuss lowering the voting age. The statewide broadcast was a huge success. During the hour long show, many callers, including NYRA member Brandon Perez, expressed their support. Alex had ample time to speak, and made good points. A new member joined…
On November 9th, NYRA-DC chapter President and NYRA Director Laura Finstad appeared on National Public Radio’s “That Democracy Show” in Washington. The show featured young people discussing the benefits of working outside of the system versus working within the system. NYRA believes that a balance should be struck between the two. Laura managed to get…
There are many websites on the Internet dedicated to humor. These sites, while often very funny, sometimes have ageist disclaimers. Often a website will have something that says their material is not appropriate for individuals under the age of eighteen. NYRA member Jessica Jordan decided to do something about it. She has written letters to…
On September 17 NYRA made an unexpected appearance as part of the top news story on America Online’s welcome screen. NYRA-DC President, Laura Finstad, and NYRA Executive Director, Alex Koroknay-Palicz were both interviewed for an ABCnews.com article about lowering the voting age that appeared on the 17th. AOL news picked up the story and used…
NYRA-Montgomery County’s “Petition of Voices” has begun circulation for the 03-04 school year. This petition, first started last year, calls upon all high schools in the Maryland county to create a student advocate position. This faculty member will defend students accused of violating school rules. In half-an-hour of petitioning the chapter collected 140 signatures outside…
NYRA has joined the campaign to amend North Carolina’s constitution to allow candidates under 21 to run for local office. Attempts by Zach Medford and Jonus Nobles, both under 21, to run for local office in North Carolina have attracted a good deal of media attention to the state’s prohibition on candidates under 21. NYRA’s…
