1. Teen suffrage: The basics
In this first episode, we introduce our project, which involves examining proposals to lower the voting age from 18 to 16. We discuss the origins of the project and our initial reactions to the idea. We preview some of the arguments we will explore in future episdoes and share highlights from our interviews with vote16 activists Amira Tripp-Folsom and Liam Rinehart, seniors at La Salle Prep High School in Milwaukie, Oregon.
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2. “We are the the present”
Coming soon! Advocates for lowering the voting age argue that young people today deserve a say in the decisions that affect them. This segment features more highlights from our interview with Amira and Liam as well as Ricardo Lujan-Valerio, Director of Advocacy at Latino Network.
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3. Is 18 a magic number?
Coming soon! In this excerpt, Mackenzie and Francesca share a brief history voting rights and restrictions that provide historical context for today’s proposals.
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4. Voting begins at home
Coming soon! Critics of this proposal suggest that teens may be unduly influenced by their parents’ opinions on issues and candidates. But there’s evidence that children may also be influencing parents’ voting in positive ways. In this segment we hear about examples of how young people may influence their parents to be more civically engaged. Interview highlights: Enrique Ruiz, Census Equity Manager at PCUN, Oregon’s farmworker union.
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5. Voting and the teenage brain
Coming soon! Some of the most compelling arguments against lowering the voting age relate to cognitive and emotional development of young people. Stay tuned for this segment, in which we examine these arguments and share highlights from our interview with Dr. Mark Pitzer, a Psychology Professor and neuroscientist at the University of Portland.
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6. Is 16 just too young?
Coming soon! Detractors argue that 16 is just too young and that “they don’t know enough” about the issues or candidates to make an informed choice. What if we “flipped the narrative” and instead asked what conditions we would need to make young people—and people of all ages—more prepared to cast an informed vote?