Stevenson Teacher Behind the "Suffrage at 17" Bill

Seventeen year olds could soon be voting in Illinois primary elections, thanks to a bill proposed by a Stevenson High School teacher.

Government teacher Andy Conneen created the bill titled “Suffrage at 17”, the Stevenson Daily Digest reports. The Illinois Senate approved the bill on Wednesday by a vote of 43-9. It would allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections, but only if they turn 18 by the time of the general election, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Governor Pat Quinn supports the bill. If passed, Illinois would be the 13th state to allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries, the newspaper reports. 

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