April 6, 2001

Secretary of State Candice S. Miller today urged more than 1,700 students at Port Huron Northern High School to stem the tide of declining voter turnout among young people by registering to vote at the first opportunity they are given and then exercising that right in the next election.

Secretary Miller, who is Michigan’s chief elections officer, made her remarks during a general assembly celebrating the 30th anniversary of the ratification of the 26th amendment to the U.S. Constitution that gave 18-year-olds the right to vote.

Michigan ratified the amendment on April 7, 1971. Michigan was among 42 states that ratified the 26th amendment in record time. Final ratification came on June 30, 1971.

"In 1972 the Vietnam War was still going on and young people jumped at the chance to vote in the presidential election," Secretary Miller told students. "That year when young people had their first opportunity to vote, nearly 50 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds went to the polls. I’m here to remind you that your vote is your voice and if you want your voice heard, you need to exercise your right to vote."

Secretary Miller noted that youth voting has declined since the 26th amendment gave 18-year-olds the right to vote.

In the 2000 election, it is estimated that less than 35 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds went to the polls. In 1996, only 32 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds voted in the presidential election.

Secretary Miller’s appearance at Port Huron Northern was part of a national celebration of the 26th amendment being sponsored by the Close Up Foundation’s First Vote, the country’s largest, classroom-based voter registration and civic education program for high school students.

Earlier this Spring Secretary Miller, in cooperation with the Close Up Foundation, sent a letter to Social Studies teachers around the state encouraging them to request the inspirational First Vote video and teacher resource guide, available from the Close Up Foundation with the support of the American Express Foundation.

Secretary Miller’s support of First Vote is the latest effort to encourage young people to exercise their right to vote.

In the Spring of 2000, the Secretary of State’s Office began sending postcard notices to licensed drivers and ID card holders turning 18, reminding them they are eligible to register to vote. Those postcards are sent to approximately 6,000 teens every two weeks.