Tampa, Florida - Getting a driver's license is one of the biggest rites of passage for teenagers.

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Buddy Johnson would like to see that event accompanied by an even more important rite of passage: the right to vote.

Johnson is working with members of the Florida Legislature to develop legislation to make 16-year-olds eligible to pre-register to vote. Current Florida law allows young people to vote at the age of 18 and to pre-register to vote at 17.

Under Johnson’s proposal, the age to pre-register would be lowered to 16 years. The lower age would permit 16-year-old persons to be eligible to pre-register to vote at the time they obtain their Florida drivers license.

The proposal would not automatically pre-register 16-year-olds who obtain a driver’s license but would make persons 16 years of age eligible to register to vote.

Then, once they are registered, the young adults would receive a voter registration card in the mail on their 18^th birthday -- no additional sign-up would be necessary.

"Most teens consider a driver's license their first -- and most exciting -- step to freedom. I want to make it easier for them to take another exciting step toward freedom by pre-registering to vote as they get their driver's license," said Johnson.

The Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections has worked with members of the Florida Legislature to include the idea in this year's election package and welcomes participation by other organizations and individuals who want to see young people more involved and responsible.

"With a little luck, the idea will be included in this year's legislation," added Johnson.

Johnson already has pushed voter registration among teens with his High School Voter Registration & Education Program.

Through a partnership with the Hillsborough County School Board, his office has registered or pre-registered some 6,000 county high school students to vote -- including almost 600 students in the past couple of weeks.