1.28.16

Suggested lead:   Lawmakers in Olympia will decide soon whether 16- and 17-year-olds can preregister to vote. Dan Frizzell has that story.

Wrap (:70 total):  The voting age would stay at 18, but teens as young as 16 could fill out the paperwork that would make them registered voters on their 18th birthday.  That's the gist of a bill that was approved by the House Rules Committee Thursday, meaning a vote of the full House won't be far behind.  The sponsor of the bill, Representative Steve Bergquist, says studies show that people who begin voting in their teens are more likely to become regular voters throughout their lives, and he says that's a good thing.  The Renton Democrat is a social studies teacher when he's not in Olympia, and he sees another advantage of preregistering teens.

BERGQUIST:  "Our students right now are taking social studies classes and trying to be engaged in what they're studying.  And if we get kids to preregister to vote, that can only enhance their understanding of current events and the opportunity to participate in our civic process." [:16]. 

Bergquist has cosponsors from both sides of the aisle on his bill, which got a bipartisan OK in the House last year but didn't get a vote in the Senate.  Thursday's decision to put it up for another vote means House leaders are optimistic the Senate has had a change of heart and will see the value in making it easier for qualified citizens to register and vote.  In Olympia, I’m Dan Frizzell.