Reducing the Voting Age
By: Alexander Michael
Reducing the Voting Age
The law of having to be at the age of 18 needs to be changed. There are many reasons that validate this point. We are in that point in time in America where our new generations either match or are above our old generations on an academic scale. I believe that the voting age needs to shift down to 16 year old being eligible as well with passing a general political exam no matter what the age is.
16 Year Old Education Levels
The education offered in the late 1950's and before is much less than today's education opportunities. The level of education is greater in many aspects and kids are more likely to be placed in advanced classes such as VU or AP. These are college level classes being taken by thousands of high school students. The education levels are only to keep growing eventually making the elders of our country become... well, out-dated.
Independent Margin for Minors Will Shift
Voting for the next Commander in Chief is a huge responsibility, with this responsibility this will make you an example of an American. Teens at the age of 16 already have responsibilities such as driving and getting jobs. These are two very responsible acts, so why can't voting be another duty to gain? This will help teens become even more independent and be able to live on their own. They will gain life learning lessons and will have more experience later on in life when it comes to future presidential elections to make the best choice possible that is titled to their opinion.
Must Pass a General Political Exam
With this new foundation to our voting system, it would also be nessecary to add a general political exam so that we do not have any outliers meaning each vote actually has an opinion behind it. If the voter takes the exam and passes it, then they are entitled to vote and give the USA the best feedback with the best knowledge. This test will not be complicated simply because it is about American's wants and that does not take much education but if the voter knows nothing about the candidates then there is no reason on them voting as they will be an outlier.
Teens at the Age of 17 Can Enlist Into the Military
Teenagers are able to enlist into the military at the age of 17 with parental consent. These are kids signing, what could be, there life away. If they are able to go and fight for their country then shouldn't those kids be able to choose who their Commander in Chief is? The teenagers enlisting deserve to have the right to vote if they have the right to enlist and participate in such a dangerous job for their country.
Allowing Teenagers to Vote Will Increase the Amount of Voters
Allowing teenagers to vote will increase the population of voters allowing us as America to get a more accurate vote on the up coming elections. This will also decrease the amount of outliers that are possible on the voters end of the elections. With more people voting it will help encourage those who do not vote to vote.
Adds a Variety to the Chart
With having both the young, the middle aged and the elderly all voting will create a variety of wants and desires. These opinions can now come from all perspectives of the field and give America exactly what they need for their leader. This expresses even more freedom for US citizens all around the country.
The Newer Generations will be the Older Generations
The younger generation should have the right to vote because they will be entering into adult hood soon and become what is the future. When the younger generations get older they will still be able to express their opinions as well as the newer generation gets too as well. This creates equality over the ages of each generation.
Voting at a Younger Age Regulates Habit of Voting
If teenagers start the habit of voting at a younger age they are more likely to vote later on in their life as well. America is dealing with a problem where a small percentage of their registered voters are not voting regularly. People also understand that not voting is also an example of expressing your freedom of speech by not particpiating but the percentage is too low. Many adults will choose not to vote because they do not want to do jury duty while as a younger adult, they are more likely to do it as they have more time on their hands. This will allow more of a flexible voting system and well as a jury system.
America, The Land of the Free
We as America are known for the freedom it offers. Laws are here to protect us and when it comes to a time where there needs to be a change it is our duty as citizens to correct that change. When the generations before us are controlling our justice system it makes it very difficult for the newer generations to want to listen to those laws without having at least a say. If teenagers could actually have a voting impact on the political stance then it is less likely to have rebellious teens.
In the End
Allowing minors to vote is not going to damage the political stance on everything. Students will not be deciding the laws, they are just deciding on the leader. So looking at this privilege for them in the aspect that they are going to rule over the current position we are in is false. This is just the newer generation speaking up and taking a stance on what is right. Following this with the fact there should be a general political test so that there is no outliers and misleading votes will help control some worries that our current voters face.