This week Democrats pushed legislation to allow 16-year-olds to vote.
Teens today are more involved in social media and are more active in politics, according to MSNBC. Younger voters also vote overwhelmingly Democrat.
According to a Tufts University analysis, Democratic candidates won the midterm elections by a 28-point margin among voters aged 18 to 29, the age group pollsters generally refer to when they talk about the youth vote. This deficit for the GOP was notably higher in 2018 when young voters supported Democratic candidates by a 35-point margin.
New York Representative Grace Meng (D) introduced the controversial regulation to amend the 26th Amendment to the Constitution.
“The right of citizens of the United States, who are sixteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age,” Meng said.
Meng added this could be an attempt to get teens to vote and enact left-leaning policies.
“Our young people, including 16- and 17-year-olds, continue to fight and advocate for so many issues that they are passionate about from gun safety to climate crisis,” Meng said. “They have been tremendously engaged in politics affecting their lives and their futures.”
While 16-year-olds are too young to attend an R-rated film or get called for jury duty, Democrats continue to change the minimum voting age.
“It’s our younger generation that will face the long-term consequences of our political challenges – like stymied action on climate change, gun violence, and reproductive rights,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). “We need to defend their right to vote.”
In the 1960s, Americans wanted the voting age to be lowered from 21 to 18, due to the military draft during the Vietnam War. On July 1, 1971, the 26th Amendment was ratified, essentially lowering the voting age to 18.
Is lowering the voting age to 18 radical legislation, or should young teens be able to vote?
