PROVIDENCE, R.I. --Rhode Island could become the second state to let 16-year-olds register to vote.

State Rep. Edwin Pacheco, D-Burrillville, has introduced a bill that would let 16-year-olds register to vote and make the registration active upon their 18th birthdays. Hawaii already allows this.

"I know this is going to help in engaging younger people and making them feel like part of the process," said Pacheco, a 24-year-old who was elected to the General Assembly two years ago.

State law allows 17-year-olds register to vote if they will turn 18 by the next election.

Pacheco crafted his bill with the help of FairVote, an initiative of the Maryland-based Center for Voting and Democracy.

Fair Vote director Robert Richie said early registration is part of an effort to increase overall voter registration. Less than three-fourths of American adults are registered to vote, and only one-third of adults under 25 are, he said.