All young people reaching 18 before April 6, 1971, may register to vote at the County Clerk's Office December 17 through January 19. According to Mrs. Eleanor Rohrbach, city clerk, 18‑year‑olds will be eligible to vote in future elections after registering.

Registration will take place at City Hall, 1410 Miner Street. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Those registering are advised to bring their birth certificate or some form of identification.

When asked what advantages she saw in lowering the voting age to 18, Mrs. Rohrbach said, "This will encourage young people in that age bracket to participate actively in government. They are enthusiastic and opinionated, and this will give them desire to work within the government."

Mrs. Rohrbach and those she chose as deputies will be in charge of registration. Each person registering must fill out and sign necessary forms and provide proof of birth date. Copies of these will be kept in the city, county, and state files.

Registering now will enable everyone becoming 18 before April 6, along with those other eligible voters, to vote in local elections at that time. Those not registering now will have another chance to do so in May.

Many alternatives play important roles in knowing whether or not Des Plaines 18‑year‑olds will be able to vote in upcoming elections. Illinois' newly proposed constitution goes to the voters on December 15. Originally t h e Constitutional Convention favored lowering the voting age to 18, but late in the session it was decided to place it on the ballot as a separate question. Eighteen‑year‑olds will not be able to register if voters oppose it.

If the 1970 Voting Rights Act, which is now being challenged in the Supreme Court, is upheld it will abolish the 21‑year‑old age requirement throughout t h e country. If voters approve the new state constitution, the 18‑year‑old vote will be legal even if the federal act is declared unconstitutional.

If voters approve the new constitution, but oppose lowering the voting age, then 21 will remain Illinois' legal voting age if the 1970 Voting Rights Act is declared unconstitutional.