Should America Lower The Voting Age? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

It's Time To Change The Voting Age To At Least 16, If Not Lower

Allowing young people to vote is civic education in action.

893
It's Time To Change The Voting Age To At Least 16, If Not Lower

My age limits me. Sure, there is a certain excitement when you turn 16 because it feels like freedom is coming your way, you can drive. When you turn 18, you are in the thick of the high school to college transition, and you can vote and join the armed forces. And then there is 21, the legal age to drink.

While these milestones are exciting, my age still limits me.

When I'm young, I'm "too young" to hold positions of significant power or to start a business, run for office, and so on. When I pass a certain age, I'm considered "too old" or "not in my prime anymore." So, which is it? Why is my age so limiting? Especially when it comes time to choose your representative in elected office.

It is my fundamental belief that everyone should have the opportunity to vote.

Of course, there are questions surrounding this theory. Most commonly, the question of whether or not a baby or child should vote. Won't their parents vote for them, and as such, that vote will be just taken away to push political agendas? No, this just isn't the case. There are ways to support every citizen having the right to vote while ensuring that vote is theirs. When a person is ready to vote, they can register (no matter the age!).

For the sake of this piece, let's talk about lowering the voting age, at least to the age of 16.

Every person has some specific stake in the game when it comes to their elected officials. Think about the school board. Why should people who have no stake in education be the ones solely voting on that seat? More importantly, why should someone who hasn't even experienced school in 30+ years vote on the issues? School board seats are exceedingly important. Young people are the ones who are going to experience those school policies in action. Why should anyone else vote for that representative?

We talk about how important civics education is, and the best way to learn is through experience.

Allowing young people to vote is civic education in action! People who are 16 pay taxes. If you pay taxes, you should have the opportunity to vote. We are missing millions of the population. And for those who think 16-year-olds won't vote, isn't it better to have the possibility of millions of people voting than none?

We often talk about the American dream. Well, my dream is to have the right to my civic duty.

My dream is to live in a world where I don't have to always argue why I should be treated equally or why I should be able to vote. If everyone is created equal, why do opportunities vary? Is age equality not relevant?

Report this Content
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1081
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

200291
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading... Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20938
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading... Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading... Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

462393
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading... Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments