Exploring proposals to lower the voting age to 16
In 2019, Oregon State Senator Shemia Fagan introduced Senate Bill 838, a proposal to lower the voting age in state and local elections from 18 to 16. That same year, U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) introduced legislation that would require states to extend voting rights to 16- and 17-year olds in federal elections. These attempts to enfranchise younger voters form part of a larger campaign led by vote16usa, an organization that sees lowering the voting age as a step to revitalize our democracy and strengthen civic engagement.
This project explores the debate surrounding proposals to lower the voting age. We examine the history of age-related restrictions and consider the different arguments for expanding voting rights (or maintaining the status quo). We interview activists, leaders, and academics to understand the context for many of these arguments. Our goal is to understand the issue and promote informed and authentic dialogue.
Many other nations allow 16- and 17-year olds to vote in local, state, or national elections, illustrated in the following chart from Vote 16 USA:
