By Max Zaninovich, Staff Writer
The current age to legally vote in America is 18, but it should be lowered to 16. The 26th Amendment of the United States Constitution states that the minimum age to vote in federal elections is 18 as part of the Voting Rights Act of 1970. The 26th amendment that lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 was a largely controversial topic but was institutionalized following the military draft for the Vietnam War. However, the voting age should now be lowered even further to 16 years old—if you can get a job and drive a car at 16, why shouldn’t you be able to vote?
If the voting age was reduced to 16, more people would be able to vote, therefore a higher percentage of the U.S. population would have a say in their elected officials and more people would be satisfied with the candidates elected. Additionally, in high school, all students are required to take history classes, where they learn about voting and the voting system, meaning the information is fresh in their minds. This would make 16 and 17 year olds more inclined to vote, and there is evidence that states that if you vote on your first ballot, it is likely to lead to a lifetime of voting. Karine Chan (12) explained, “We have our parents with us so they can help us register and walk us through the voting process. When you are 18, you are by yourself and have to figure it out on your own.” It is also important to add that most 18 year olds have just started at a new college during election time, and voting is likely not the first thing on their minds. On top of that, a 16 year old can legally work a job and be taxed. If you are old enough to have the government take a percentage of your money, shouldn’t you be old enough to vote?
Some skeptics may claim that a 16 year old’s brain is not as developed as that of an 18 year old’s. However, according to The New York Times, “[…] the skills necessary to make informed decisions are firmly in place by 16. By that age, adolescents can gather and process information, weigh pros and cons, reason logically with facts and take time before making a decision.” This disproves the notion that a 16 year old’s mind is not as mature as an 18 year old’s and cannot make important decisions regarding our political process. Teenagers may occasionally make poor choices, but statistically speaking, they do not make them any more often than adults do.
If 16 and 17 year olds are able to vote, a larger percentage of the population of the U.S. would be represented and therefore be happier with the officials elected. 16 year olds should be able to have a say in their future.
