Judge hears dispute involving Ohio's youngest primary voters

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Allowing 17-year-old Ohioans to vote in the swing state's presidential primary would cause "mass confusion" days before the election, an attorney for the state's elections chief told a judge Thursday.

The young voters can decide on congressional, legislative and mayoral contenders but can't vote on tax levies, ballot issues or a political party's central committee candidates.

A manual for elections officials issued last year by Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted says 17-year-olds can vote "solely on the nomination of candidates" — and not in the presidential primary "because delegates are elected and not nominated."

At least 20 other states allow 17-year-olds to vote in presidential primaries or caucuses, though rules sometimes vary based on political party, according to FairVote, an organization that tracks electoral issues.