OPINION: Lower the Voting Age to 16

Why a lower voting age would benefit politics in the United states...

If you are over 16, you can drive, work, open a bank account, and even get married in some states, but you can't vote despite the fact that you are a fully functioning person—capable of doing everything that anyone the age of 18 can—for some reason. There are three valid arguments, in my opinion, as to why you should be able to vote at 16.

The first argument is taxation without representation. Yeah, those famous words you have heard about 100 times in your history class also apply to you as a 16-year-old. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that 54.4 percent of young people (persons ages 16 to 24) are employed. While that age range does not just include 16-18-year-olds, it does give us some insight into the fact that many 16-year-olds do, in fact, take summer jobs or part-time jobs after school. If you are unaware, when you become employed, you have to pay taxes on that earned income - meaning that if you are 16 or 17 and working, you are actively paying taxes without having your vote represented in government. This premise that one should not have to pay taxes while not having representation in government was the founding principle that incited the American Revolution of 1775, and yet we continue to perpetuate taxation without representation onto our citizens - whether we are aware of it or not.

The second argument is the potential impact on voter Turnout. Voting is a habit, and research shows that voting in one election increases the likelihood of voting in a subsequent election by 13%. In the United States, 77.9 percent of people aged 65 to 74 are registered to vote, while only 49.1 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds are registered, according to Statista. By allowing younger people to vote, we can instill the habit of voting early and potentially boost voter turnout in the younger age groups. Australia serves as a real-life example of this. With a voting age of 16, studies have shown that voter turnout for 16-17-year-olds is higher than for older teens and young adults aged 18-24.

The last argument is the importance of young voices in the democratic process. Time and again, it's been proven that young voices are a vital part of our democracy. Whether it was the protests against the Viet Nam war in the 1970s or more recent social movements like climate activism led by the likes of Greta Thunberg, young people, including 16 and 17-year-olds, have consistently shown that they not only care enough to want to vote, but that they deserve a vote as well. This is evident in the creation of political organizations like the High School Democrats of America or the High School Republicans of America. These groups not only rally around candidates of their choosing, but also engage in phone banking, advertising, and social campaigns to try and elect the candidate they believe in. While these organizations are commendable, they were really created to fill the void that young people who cannot vote feel- the need to support the party and candidate they feel should represent them. So, you tell me, should 16 year olds be allowed to vote?

Should 16-Year-Olds be Allowed to Vote?

• YES
• NO