Historic first for Connecticut: some 17-year-olds can vote April 24

For the first time in Connecticut history, 17-year-old citizens are eligible to vote - under certain conditions.

Any citizen who will turn 18 by Election Day, Nov. 6, can register to vote April 24 in the Republican Presidential Preference primary. Passage of an amendment to the state Constitution in 2008 enabled 17-year-olds to cast ballots in primaries if they will be of legal voting age by the general election.

Any eligible voter would need to enroll or register with the Republican party by April 23 at noon. Unaffiliated voters have that same deadline to enroll with the Republican Party if they wish to participate.

The Secretary of the State's office reports that so far in 2012 more than 2,200 17-year-olds have registered, including 465 as Democrats, 543 with the Republican Party, and 1,123 unaffiliated.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. April 24 for registered Republicans. Voters can go online at www.sots.ct.gov to download registration forms or absentee ballot applications, and find out polling places.

Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum are on the ballot.