Lowering the voting age will help increase voter turnout.

Voters aged 16-17 were found to have made choices that were “more congruent with party positions” leaving the researchers to conclude that “lowering the voting age does not appear to have a negative impact on input legitimacy and the quality of democratic decisions.”ĥ. Voters aged 16 to 17 had a higher turnout rate than older voters under age 30 in Norway’s 2011 elections, voters under 35 in Scotland’s 2014 referendum election, and voters aged 18-20 in Austria’s elections in 20.Īlthough it can be difficult to determine what constitutes a “good vote” (see below), a group of researchers tried to determine the quality of votes cast by people under 18 by comparing how well their votes aligned with their stated values. Similar trends have occurred outside the United States. Seventeen-year-olds also had a higher turnout rate than people aged 20-50 in the Chicago Primary in 2014. to lower the voting age to 16), registered 16- and 17-year-old voters had a higher turnout out rate than older voters. And again in Hyattsville, Maryland (the second place in the U.S. In 2013, when Takoma Park, Maryland, lowered its voting age to 16, registered voters under 18 had a turnout rate four times higher than voters over 18. When the voting age has been lowered to 16, young people have shown our interest in voting. And if we want to be involved in the political process this badly, how can politicians deny us the right any longer?Ĥ. Whether it is forming political groups at school, organizing protests, or using social media to express our opinion, young people find a way to become involved in politics. Supreme Court ruled that banning people under 18 from this part of the political process actually violates our First Amendment rights. And even though we are not allowed to vote, young people are able to contribute just as much money to a political campaign as adults are. People under 18 have also participated in politics by forming Political Action Committees, managing campaigns, advocating for our rights in front of legislative bodies, and becoming grassroots activists. Young people have started ultimately successful campaigns for mayor and state legislature before they were even old enough to vote. Despite attempts to exclude us from the political process, we are still making our voices heard. Young people are already participating in politics. This “taxation without representation” should be no more tolerable to modern Americans as it was during the American Revolution.ģ. In 2011, people under 18 paid over $730 million in income tax alone and had no representation on how that money was spent. We are also expected to follow the law regarding taxes. It is hypocritical to tell us that we are mature, responsible adults when they commit a crime, but ignorant and naive when we want to vote. This means that not only does our society expect young people to know “right from wrong” and the consequences for breaking certain laws, but our society also expects that we are able to navigate the adult legal system and are mature enough to be placed in adult prisons. Approximately 250,000 people under age 18 are tried, sentenced, or incarcerated as adults every year across the United States. In every state, it is possible for a case to be transferred out of juvenile court into adult criminal court, and in certain states all crimes committed by 16- and 17-year-olds are automatically transferred.

People under 18 are expected to follow adult laws and experience adult consequences if we don’t do so. Young people are expected to follow the law, but have no say in making it. If young people are capable of such a variety of amazing feats, certainly we have the capacity to vote for the candidate that best represents our interests.Ģ. People under age 18 have the ability to win a Nobel Prize, reach the summit of Mount Everest, conduct cancer research, become published authors, teach a graduate-level course in nuclear physics, run their own schools, work for NASA, and risk their lives to save others. We are also capable of incredible intelligence and accomplishment. Many people under 18 also have “adult” responsibilities – such as being the primary caregiver for an ailing family member, running a business, and making substantial financial contributions to our households. Millions of us are employed and volunteer in our communities. People under 18 are contributing and active members of society. Young people have adult responsibilities, but are denied the same rights. Lowering the voting age is a new concept for many people, but there are many good reasons that show doing so is a sound and ethical choice.ġ.

Youth with you 3 voting