Some 17-year-old Utahns can vote in this primary election
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) 'I Voted' sticker are available to people who vote at the Salt Lake County complex during primary election day on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.
Utah 17-year-olds are heading to the polls for the first time Tuesday under a new state law allowing them to vote in primary races if they’ll be 18 by November.
KUER radio reports the law was passed by state lawmakers earlier this year.
Pleasant View 17-year-old Zachary Thomas jumped at the chance to cast his ballot by mail.
He says high schools students have increased political awareness in the wake of the February mass shooting at a school in Florida after students around the country began organizing walkouts to protest shootings.
Thomas says students need to vote in November if they want to be taken seriously.
sltrib.com is now free to access — no subscription required. We made this decision because we believe access to trustworthy, independent news shouldn’t depend on what you can afford — especially as misinformation and AI-generated content continue to rise.
Free to read doesn’t mean free to produce. Our reporters show up every day to ask hard questions and hold powerful institutions to account. That work takes resources. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on support from people who believe it matters. Make a donation today to fund local news that serves Utah communities.
You can help us bring more local news to more communities today.