MONTPELIER — The state of Vermont is in the process of amending its constitution to allow some 17-year-olds to vote.

An amendment that would let those who turn 18 by Election Day in November to vote in primary elections before that was approved by lawmakers last year and is headed for a second vote. Under the constitution, amendments to the constitution must be approved by two different legislatures and at a public referendum.

If the early-voting amendment is approved again this session, a referendum would be held in November 2010.

State Sen. Jeanette White says the idea behind the measure is to get young people voting early.