North Country Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, supports legislation that would allow teenagers who will be 18 by the time of a presidential election to vote in primaries.

Assemblywoman Russell said the bill is aimed at promoting participation in the electoral process by 17 year olds who will turn 18 years old in a presidential election year. Those teenagers would need to turn 18 by Election Day to be eligible to vote in the primary.

Her 116th “River” District covers Massena, Ogdensburg, Louisville, Waddington, Lisbon, Oswegatchie, Morristown and Hammond along the St. Lawrence River, and also the St. Lawrence County towns of Canton, Potsdam, Rossie, Macomb and DePeyster, plus northern Jefferson County, not including Watertown.

The effort would require a constitutional amendment so it would need to be passed by the state legislature in two consecutive years. The bill will now be considered by the state Senate.

"I strongly support efforts to increase voter participation and find it encouraging that the Assembly is making an effort to encourage prospective young voters to become more involved in the political process. The issues facing our state and nation are immense, and I think it is critical to have their voices at the table as we make decisions that will impact their lives for years to come," Russell said.

"My own district already benefits from decisions that are being made by 17 year olds as they select one of the five colleges in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties or make a decision to serve our country in the U.S. Army that leads them to being stationed at Fort Drum. Allowing 17 year olds to help select the candidates they will be able to vote when they are 18 in that November's election is simply the right thing to do," she said.