Opinion Editorials
Should 16 year olds be able to vote?
By: Christopher Gallegos
For a while now people (more specifically teens) have been wanting to vote and it’s been seen as a trend for teens to get more into politics. People have been wondering if the voting age should be lowered to 16 so that younger people can start to learn more about politics. With this change, it could and most likely change how politics work and how they are looked at. Have you ever wondered to yourself how voting as a minor could possibly change things for you and for politics? These are some opinions on why people think the voting age should be lowered.
As you know, the normal age for someone to vote is and has to be 18. To some other people, it isn’t at all fair to them since they want their voice to be heard. Discussing on whether or not the voting age should be lowered could have an impact on a lot of people, mostly those of the age of 16 or around that age. The cause could really help younger people really understand how it works and what politics really are. It’s well thought out that if minors were able to vote, they would most likely increase the likelihood of teens becoming adults.
A main reason why 16 year olds should be able to vote is that between the ages 16-17 most people are seen as adults at that age. Along with people thinking that those in between the age of 16-17 are old enough to be ready to vote. With research showing that they have the necessary civic knowledge, skills and cognitive abilities to vote responsibly.
With 16 year olds being able to vote, it's able to strengthen their civics education. It helps provide students by making them more effective as providing students, its also a way to directly apply what they’re learning in the classrooms in their communities. It could also encourage schools to implement higher quality civic education programs given its immediate implications on student lives.
The voting age being lowered increases voter turnout and develops lifelong voting habits. With students learning more about government and civics in highschool it’ll lead to a higher turnout for 16-17 year olds as others help surpass obstacles as first time voters. With young people voting, it could encourage their parents and other adults in a way to vote, increasing the overall vote turnout rate. It is also said by researchers that people who participate in elections when they first reach the legal age that they are likely to develop the habit of voting. (Procon.org, lowering the voting age, 11/8/23)
As we have seen, it is highly recommended that the voting age should be lowered to the age of 16. With the cause bringing in good effects, along with how theres been a trend of teens getting more involved in politics. Along with how most 16 year olds are ready to vote since most are seen as adults, and with how its able to strengthen their civics education. This is why the voting age should be lowered to 16.
