In the next election year, 8.8 million young, bright minds will be denied the right to vote because people have a false belief that they are not mature enough to have a say in things that affect them every single day. Those 8.8 million people are 16 and 17-year-old teens.
Yes, it is true that 16-year-olds are not as mature as 18-year-olds. Even if 18-year-olds are not as mature as 30-year-olds, yet they can still vote. Having a small gap in maturity, as most voters do already, should not stop teens who are affected by lawmakers every day.
When the issue of taxation without representation is brought up, many believe it was solved around the 1700s, but is it still going on in modern-day America? Having a voting age of 18 is unjust, and that is why it should be 16.
Teens are being directly impacted by laws passed by politicians they had no say in. They are being taxed on their salary, deal with funding cuts from schools, driving laws, the criminal justice system and some even live by themselves. Legal voters that are 18 are affected by the same things yet get a voice. Their 16 and 16-year-old peers should too.
Voter turnout is an enormous struggle in this country. According to an article published on The London School of Economics and Political Science website, “a voting age of 16 also appear to have higher turnout increases among voters in their late teens and throughout their 20s.”
Allowing more people to vote raises the level of participation raises the level of participation, thereby strengthening our democracy. If someone starts a habit early, they are more likely to continue it.
A detailed study of voters’ ages and habits in Denmark found that 18-year-olds were far more likely to cast their “first vote” than 19-year-olds, and that every month of extra age in those years resulted in a decline in “first vote” turnout. If teens establish a voting habit, it will add to the democracy of America.
Politicians will have to appeal to younger people, who tend to be more informed on current issues. “Most 16-year-olds today are a lot more politically active than past generations due to events such as climate change, school shootings, and much more,” claims an article in The New York Times.
We have seen an upsurge in teens being engaged with politics, therefore, they have strong beliefs. If politicians have to appeal to them as well, then we will strengthen our laws and lawmakers.
Currently, politicians focus most of their campaigns on older people, some of which grew up with outdated beliefs and haven’t taken the time to look into recent events and issues. Having young, fresh minds have a say in who runs our country is how we make sure we do not fall behind.
Teens will always have their thoughts about politics, so why not give these strong-minded people a voice? They are young and willing to vote, so let them.
