DENVER – February is National Young Voter Month, an effort by the League of Women Voters to help young people embrace and navigate the electoral process. In Colorado, 16-year-olds can pre-register when they take their driver’s license test, and can vote after they turn 18.

Marlu Burkamp, spokeswoman with the League’s Colorado chapter, says the rate of youth registration and voting has lagged in recent years.

“We need to recognize the new and soon-to-be voters and acquaint them with the political process and urge them to register to vote and recognize the importance of voting,” said Burkamp. “Let’s face it, they will be our future leaders.”

Burkamp said that now’s a good time for young people to dig into politics because Colorado legislators are considering bills that criminalize juvenile sexting, cap student loan interest rates and limit access to abortion. Anyone with a driver’s license or ID can register using a smartphone at GoVoteColorado.com.

All registered voters receive ballots by mail, at home or away at college, even if they didn’t vote in the previous election.

Burkamp points to the close results in Iowa’s presidential caucuses as a prime example of why young people should make sure their vote gets counted.

“Many of our young students are so cynical, they think nothing will matter,” she says. “Not voting is like taking your hands off the steering wheel if you disagree with the map.”

Burkamp encourages people to check out the League’s non-partisan analysis at www.VOTE411.org, which includes information on how to vote.