FOR THE WEEK OF NOV. 18, 2024

Latest election revives debate over lowering the U.S. voting age to 16

High school juniors and seniors were on the sidelines this month, once again, during the most important national event of 2024 – the presidential election. Even some college students who weren't 18 by Nov. 5 couldn't have a direct role in electing the leader who governs all Americans. That's unfair and overdue to change, say advocates of lowering the voting age by two years. "Expanding the vote to include 16-year-olds is not just about extending a right; it's also about enriching our democracy with young people's policy priorities and ideas, University of Michigan freshman Nina Attisha wrote this month in her campus paper. "It is an investment in a lifetime of civic participation. By lowering the voting age, we can ensure that more voices are heard. Young people need to know that their opinions matter."

A lower ballot age would let young citizens' interests be represented in the political system and would boost electoral participation, backers say. Voters under 18 are likely to still be in school and living with their families – factors believed to encourage turnout. Earlier involvement in politics could be a foundation for lifelong voting, advocates add. Critics of the proposed change say younger teens aren't well-informed or motivated and are easily manipulated.

In 1971, the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution lowered the age from 21 to 18. Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., last year introduced a U.S. House bill to replace the amendment with one that would let 16- and 17-year-olds vote. "It is time to give them a voice in our democracy," she says. Democratic supporters of Meng’s bill include Reps. Nancy Pelosi of California, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts. These six national groups also are part of the push: Other Rock the Vote, Next Up Action Fund, Generation Citizen, National Youth Rights Association, Fair Vote Action and Voters of Tomorrow.

Congress, where Republicans will have a majority in both chambers as of January, seems unlikely to expand voting access before the next presidential election in 2028. On the local level, one city in Vermont (Battleboro) and four in Maryland (Greenbelt, Hyattsville, Riverdale Park, Takoma Park) let anyone over 16 vote in municipal elections for mayor, city council and other offices. In Oakland, Calif., school board elections are open to 16- and 17-year-olds. Elsewhere, 16 is the minimum age for national elections in Argentina, Austria (since 2007), Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Greece, Indonesia, Nicaragua and North Korea.

Student says: "As an 18-year-old and first-time presidential election voter, I was giddy to cast my ballot." – Nina Attisha of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

Congresswoman says: "Sixteen- and 17-year-olds are legally permitted to work, drive and they also pay federal income taxes. They are contributing members of our society and I believe it is right and fair to allow them to vote." – Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y.

Activist group says: "Young people are directly affected by a range of policies concerning education, criminal justice, government spending and the environment. We contribute to our communities and we pay taxes. We are capable of educating ourselves on the issues and often even do better than most registered voters on civics tests. We deserve the right to be heard." – National Youth Rights Association, a nonprofit based in Hyattsville, Maryland

Front Page Talking Points Archive

Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.