My 17 year old daughter registered to vote today.

This is a big deal. I’m so proud. I just wanted to say that. She kind of looked at me funny while we talked about it, but this is something that’s hugely important for me; and a logical step in her progression as an informed and engaged American citizen, which, thankfully, she is, and certainly more aware of the socio-political issues of the day than I was at her age.

You folks that know me, that follow my ramblings in this space, you probably aren’t surprised. Every year, even on those small little local election years, I take the time on “the Tuesday next after the first Monday in the month of November” to vote myself, and to remind everyone reading this space to vote. I usually say something to the effect of “it’s the absolute least you can do”; and every year when I say that, I’m right.

Some of you may be wondering: seventeen. Yeah. However, according to the law of the land here in the Commonwealth of Virginia, per § 24.2-403, that’s the way things work. To wit:

§ 24.2-403. Persons under 18 years of age.

Any person who is otherwise qualified and will be 18 years of age on or before the day of the next general election shall be permitted to register in advance and also vote in any intervening primary or special election. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any person who is otherwise qualified and will be 18 years of age on or before the day of the next November general presidential election shall be permitted to register in advance of and also vote in any intervening presidential primary and any other primary held on the same day as the presidential primary.

So yeah, if you live in VA, are seventeen and will be eighteen before the next general election, go ahead and register now, and you’ll be able to participate in any primaries or specials in the interim. most other states have similar provisions.

This year’s going to be full of all kinds of milestones; we’ve already ticked off college acceptance. Graduation’s coming. She no longer counts for the child tax credit (dammit). But, of any of it, I’m probably most proud of the fact that this coming November, she’ll get to take part in Virginia’s gubernatorial primary and general election.