House approves teen drivers license/voter registration bill

By KYLEE ZABEL

Reporter

WNPA Olympia News Bureau

Executive action has been taken on a bill that would allow teens 16 and 17 to preregister to vote while applying for their driver’s licenses at the Department of Licensing (DOL).

The legislation recently passed out of committee on a 6-5 vote.

House Bill 1279, termed the Young Voter Registration Equality Act, would help engage high school students and soon-to-be adults in the political process, declared prime-sponsor 11th District Rep. Steve Bergquist (D-Renton). It would also increase accessibility to voter registration, he added.

“It’s importan...