If I am emancipated will I be able to vote in this year's presidential elections?

Although a minor does have additional responsibilities after becoming emancipated, the laws regarding voting are specific to individuals 18 and older. This means that you have to be 18 to vote.

In the United States Constitution, Amendment 26 states, "Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age.  Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."

The Arizona Constitution Art. 7, § 2, follows the U.S. Constitution. The Arizona Constitution states, "(A) No person shall be entitled to vote at any general election, or for any office that now is, or hereafter may be, elective by the people, or upon any question which may be submitted to a vote of the people, unless such person be a citizen of the United States of the age of eighteen years or over, and shall have resided in the state for the period of time preceding such election as prescribed by law, provided that qualifications for voters at a general election for the purpose of electing presidential electors shall be as prescribed by law. The word "citizen" shall include persons of the male and female sex. (B) The rights of citizens of the United States to vote and hold office shall not be denied or abridged by the state, or any political division or municipality thereof, on account of sex, and the right to register, to vote and to hold office under any law now in effect, or which may hereafter be enacted, is hereby extended to, and conferred upon males and females alike. (c) No person who is adjudicated an incapacitated person shall be qualified to vote at any election, nor shall any person convicted of treason or felony, be qualified to vote at any election unless restored to civil rights."

Most importantly, even if you are not old enough to vote, you are still able to get involved in elections. Here are some ways to get involved in elections:

• Vote with Kids Voting Arizona
• Contact your County Recorder's Office to work at the polls
• Volunteer with your County Recorder's Office to participate in voter registration
• Volunteer with Kids Voting Arizona
• Volunteer on a specific campaign or with a political party
• Volunteer with a voter registration organization

See our sections on voting and on emancipation to learn more about both topics.