In 1971 the U.S. Congress ratified the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which prohibited states from allowing anyone under the age of 18 to vote. Before the amendment was passed the minimum voting age was 21 years of age. Support to lower the age of 18 was driven in part by the draft of the Vietnam War which conscripted young men between the ages of 18 and 21 to join the armed forces. In 2021 U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) reintroduced legislation in the House of Representatives to lower the voting age in America to 16 years old. In order to pass the legislation would have to be ratified as a Constitutional Amendment.
Narrow down which types of responses you would like to see.
Narrow down the conversation to these participants:
Discussions from these authors are shown:
@8JSC4QSRepublican5yrs5Y
No it should stay as it is.
@8MCBXF6Independent5yrs5Y
Minors shouldn’t have to pay taxes if they aren’t able to vote.
@8PQJBCT4yrs4Y
Yes anyone who pays taxes should be able to vote, and voters should pass a basic test demonstrating their understanding of politics in order to vote
@9TC9YQD8mos8MO
Yes, I'd be in favor of lowering the age to 16. 16-18 year olds are often employed and pay taxes, and local/state/federal elections can have a significant impact on their well being. Passing a basic knowledge test for any voter would be ideal, but could also dissuade people from voting. Lowering the voting age would give young voters more autonomy and insight into how much election results can have a direct impace on them, and hopefully influence them to continue to be more involved in elections of all levels as they continue into adulthood.
@96QJTNS 9mos9MO
No, but 14-17-year-olds should be able to cast an unofficial ballot to show trends and promote youth participation in elections
Yes, but a required understanding and explanation of political processes is required beforehand
@9F8QF852yrs2Y
Yes, the youth population's voting habits can be changed if voting starts at 16 and having education surrounding how to vote, research candidates, and participate in politics can do this.
@igeryuIndependent 2yrs2Y
We should unify the age that one is recognized as an adult, can join the military, and can vote.
@932YX6S3yrs3Y
No, I think by 18 you should have a basic understanding of politics.
@92G24263yrs3Y
I don’t have a strong opinion about this.
@8ZJS39J3yrs3Y
I think everyone wanting to vote should take a test on if they are knowledgeable enough about the state of our country and politics before theyre allowed to vote
@8YPBHDJ3yrs3Y
Yes, if we entrust 16 year olds to drive safely, then they should also be trusted to vote
@8YLHCV63yrs3Y
Lowered to age 15. If jobs can hired children then should be allowed to voice their political opinion
@8WWQL634yrs4Y
No. Universal suffrage should be removed and only those who have completed 3 year military service and are married with children should be able to vote.
@8TR3CR94yrs4Y
Lower the age to 16 for city/school elections. Maintain 18 for state and federal elections.
@8TCN5K7Independent4yrs4Y
Yes, but it should be up to the individual states to decide.
No, I think kids 17 or younger that are working should just not get taxed because they are not using most of the things they are being taxed on. I didnt know enough about what was going on at 16 to be educated
@8SSGL5T4yrs4Y
16-17 should be able to vote
@8RNJL2G4yrs4Y
No, it should be raised to 21. There are many high school students who SHOULD NOT be allowed to vote at the age of 18, some of them lack the common sense and humanity. (I'm speaking from experiences that I've had with 18 year old boys.)
@8RGR5PB4yrs4Y
No. Adulthood and voting and military service should be raised to age 21.
@8PT6FVR4yrs4Y
as long as you are surving in the military you should be allowed to vote.
@8NTW77R5yrs5Y
Yes, but only for emancipated minors.
@8M56X645yrs5Y
No. I believe age should stay 18 but also lower the smoking and drinking ages.
@8LFH3GV5yrs5Y
Possibly. I think anyone over the age of 16 should be required to pass a basic test demonstrating their understanding of politics in order to vote.
@8L6LQCK5yrs5Y
Yes, to 16, anyone wishing to vote must take a test at the voting location every time they go to vote, so as to ensure they are mentally fit to vote.
@8CM985P5yrs5Y
Yes. Ages are arbitrary as are age laws; it comes down to their knowledge of the political spectrum as a whole and education, if we can increase the access of both, then it could be lowered & open to those who comprehend it as a whole.
Yes, the minimum voting age should be the minimum age to work
@97KPKRH3yrs3Y
Maybe, possibly to age 16; the youth is more intelligent than we give them credit for
@9CXYK8Q2yrs2Y
No, but mandatory civics classes should be introduced to all schools, starting at grade 4.
@89CDM9C4yrs4Y
No, and the age should be raised. Additionally while the age of enlistment for voluntary service should remain the same, the age an individual can be involuntarily drafted should be raised as well.
Loading the political themes of users that engaged with this discussion
Loading data...
Join in on more popular conversations.
