In 1971, the U.S. constitution extended the right to vote to all Americans 18 years old and up by lowering the voting age from 21.
Every year, millions of 16-17 year olds open their paychecks to see that money has been deducted and taxed from them, and yet they have no voice or control in how that money is spent.
16 year olds can drive, sign a tax return, and contribute to the American economy. why can’t they cast a vote at the ballot box?
“If we can pay taxes we should be able to vote,” Jude Richner, a student from Lakeland High School (LHS) said. “If we get treated like adults we should be able to vote.”
If the government thinks that a 16 year old is mature enough to fill out a W-2 form and contribute to the American economy, it is illogical to believe that they “lack the mental capacity” to choose the leader spending that money.
16 year olds are the ones sitting in class rooms and truly affected by the education budgets and laws of safety.
They are also the ones that inherit the long term consequences of national debt.
Decisions made by our leaders mostly affect the younger beings. An 80 year old has a say in major political decisions, but a 16 year old with 50+ years left in his life can’t.
“16 year olds have so much more life ahead of them” Lyal Howell, a student at LHS said. “They have so much to do in life, they should be able to decide the best for their future.”
At 18, many young adults are in the motion of transition. Whether it is moving away, college, or even the military, it makes it very hard to have a higher voter turnout.
By 16 year olds voting, schools can teach these adolescents a life long habit of participating in the democratic process.
When discussing national debt, we are discussing the life of 16 year olds for the next 60 years.
An individual can be deeply impacted by the choice of the next leader.
16-17 year olds can be deeply impacted by the choice of a new leader, arguably the most affected, yet they don’t have a choice in the leader that influences them.
Lowering the voting age isn’t just about politics, it’s about fairness and consistency.
If the U.S. expects adolescents to obey the law, pay into the system, and operate heavy machinery on our roads, we must also respect their right to participate in democracy when most needed.