Advocates for this change argue that allowing 16-year-olds to vote will increase political engagement among young people and give them a voice in decisions that affect their communities.
The recent success of the "Vote 16" campaign in Vermont, where 16- and 17-year-olds can now vote in municipal elections, has emboldened activists and garnered support from some media outlets.
In Vermont, the Democrat-controlled state legislature overrode Republican Governor Phil Scott's veto of a measure that allows 16-year-olds to vote in municipal elections and hold elected offices.
This victory has been celebrated by proponents of lowering the voting age, who believe that involving young people in the political process will strengthen communities and foster a sense of civic responsibility.
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Representative Emilie Kornheiser, a Democrat from Brattleboro, Vermont, believes that getting more young people to vote will keep them politically engaged and connected to their communities.
She argues that involving youth in the democratic process from an early age will teach them the skills of participation and politics, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.
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Governor Scott, however, expressed concerns about the inconsistency in Vermont law regarding the age of adulthood.
He vetoed the bill, stating that while he supports encouraging young Vermonters to be interested in issues affecting their communities, he does not believe that lowering the voting age is the solution.
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In Missouri, a statewide group called Vote16MO is lobbying to lower the voting age for local and school board elections to 16.
DJ Yearwood, the teenager leading the effort, launched the Vote16MO campaign to advocate for this change. Yearwood believes that allowing 16-year-olds to vote would help with their transition to adulthood and encourage them to approach politics without the influence of political parties.
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However, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, Missouri's top election official, does not support lowering the voting age.
He argues that young people should have more time to develop the level of responsibility required for voting. Ashcroft questions whether 14-year-olds who work on family farms should also be allowed to vote, highlighting the complexity of the issue.
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Critics of lowering the voting age argue that 16- and 17-year-olds lack the judgment and maturity to make important political decisions.
They point to research suggesting that the teenage brain is still undergoing major development and reconstruction, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for making reasonable decisions in politics.
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They question why young people should be trusted to vote when they are not legally considered adults and cannot engage in other activities that require responsibility.
Despite these criticisms, the movement to lower the voting age is gaining momentum in various states. In New Mexico, two Democrats introduced a bill earlier this year to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to register as voters starting in 2024.
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In Oregon, a 15-year-old high school student secured a promise from a Democratic state representative to propose an amendment to the state constitution granting 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote.
Cities such as Boston, Southborough (Massachusetts), Oakland, Berkeley (California), and several others in Maryland already permit 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in municipal elections. Efforts to lower the voting age are not limited to local elections, as a Virginia Democrat submitted a bill to lower the voting age for local elections to 16.
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At the federal level, Representative Grace Meng, a Democrat from New York, introduced legislation to amend the Constitution and make 16 the national minimum voting age.
Meng argues that young people have shown their influence on trends, political movements, and elections in recent years and deserve a voice in the democratic process. She points out that 16- and 17-year-olds are legally permitted to work, drive, and pay federal income taxes, making them contributing members of society.
Critics of lowering the voting age believe that the primary motive behind this effort is to gain more votes for certain political parties. They argue that minors lack the ability and judgment to make important political decisions and question why officials suddenly consider them capable of voting when they are not trusted to make other decisions that require responsibility.
The push to lower the voting age has also sparked debate about the maturity and development of young people.
Some argue that 16- and 17-year-olds are capable of understanding and participating in the political process, while others believe that they need more time to develop the necessary skills and judgment.
The success of the "Vote 16" campaign in Vermont and the growing support from activists and some media outlets indicate that this movement is gaining momentum. However, the debate over lowering the voting age is far from settled, with critics raising concerns about the maturity and judgment of young voters.
As the movement continues to grow, it remains to be seen whether more states will follow Vermont's lead and lower the voting age to 16.
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