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…
Recently the Hawaii State Student Council hosted its annual Student Leadership Workshop for school officers like class presidents, vice-presidents, and student council members. 195 student leaders attended this year’s workshop. With no prior education effort the students were polled on the idea of lowering the voting age and 49.24% agreed it should be lowered. 38.46%…
With an energetic rally on Saturday May 17, the Lower the Vote Coalition began its campaign to lower the voting age to 16 in the Maryland city of Takoma Park. Local TV was present to video tape the entire rally. A NYRA copy of the rally was made as well and will be made available…
The DC chapter of NYRA is busy at work preparing for their May 17 rally on the steps of Takoma Park, Maryland’s city hall that will launch their campaign to lower the voting age to 16 in this city. The chapter is reaching out to high schools and non-profits all through the area to gain…
In a unanimous 3-0 decision the US District Court of Washington, DC struck down the provision to last year’s campaign finance reform law that prohibited all political contributions by individuals under 18. In the Memorandum Opinion of Judge Henderson he wrote that “no case of which I am aware holds that a minor’s speech is…
NYRA was the only organization testifying on behalf of the voting age bill, though several other organizations signed on their support. Justin, a senior at the University of Texas, spoke in favor of House Bill 482 and House Joint Resolution 29, the bills introduced by Rep. Ron Wilson (D-Houston) back in January. NYRA sent out…
Despite a vigorous letter writing campaign in favor of LD 640, the Maine bill that would lower the voting age statewide to 17, the bill has been put on hold. Lacking the 2/3rds vote necessary in the House to pass the bill, the sponsor, Rep. Glenn Cummings (D-Portland) decided to put the bill on hold…
NYRA representative Justin Webb testified at 2 PM, today April 23rd in front of the Texas House Committee on Elections. Justin, a senior at the University of Texas, spoke in favor of House Bill 482 and House Joint Resolution 29, the bills introduced by Rep. Ron Wilson (D-Houston) back in January. NYRA sent out a…
With the passage of LD 640 on March 25 in committee the bill that will lower the voting age to 17 now heads to the full Maine House of Representatives. The bill passed with overwhelming support by a vote of 11-2, even the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Glenn Cummings, D-Portland, was a little surprized. “This is…
At their monthly chapter meeting on March 1st, President Laura Finstad outlined an ambitious year of youth rights activism. NYRA-DC has taken its first step toward lowering the voting age in the area by contacting area city councils. The chapter has also begun inquiries into establishing a Youth Center for the city. Several fundraising concerts…
