Registering to vote?

Question

I heard somewhere that you can register to vote before you're 18 so long as you're 18 before elections. Is this true? Or do you have to be 18 by the end of the year? I'm turning 18 on January 12th, (less than 2 weeks short of the end of the year, and well before primarys)... Is there a way that I can register to vote now?
Also, is there anyway to register to vote online?

Thanks for all answers.

I'm looking for answers particular to New York if possible please... sorry I didn't add that before...

Thanks again

Answer 1

According to New York state law, you can register before you turn 18, so long as you are 18 the day of the general election or primary. You can register at http://www.declareyourself.com/. Here are the details:

You must:
Be a citizen of the United States
Be a resident of the county, or of the City of New York, at least 30 days before an election
Be 18 years old by the date of the general, primary, or other election in which your want to vote
Not be in jail or on parole for a felony conviction
Not currently be judged incompetent by order of a court of competent judicial authority
Not claim the right to vote elsewhere
Registration Deadline: 25 days before the election

Date of Primary: Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Primary Registration Deadline: Sunday, January 6, 2008 (30 days prior)

State Election Website:www.elections.state.ny.us
SOS Website:www.dos.state.ny.us/

Answer 2

In most states you will have to wait until at least your eighteenth birthday. Allowing you to register ahead of time would create an extra burden on the registrar of voters to keep track of your elligibility to vote. It is not the duty of the registrar to keep track of your birthday.