Proposal would allow DC 16-year-olds to vote for president in 2016

[gdgyva]

WASHINGTON - When Americans go to the polls to vote in 2016, there's a chance that 16-year-olds in Washington, D.C. could also be casting their ballots. On Tuesday, three D.C. City Council members proposed lowering the federal voting age in D.C. from 18 to 16.45

Ward 6 Council member Charles Allan is the chief author behind the Youth Vote Amendment Act of 2015. He said Tuesday that there's nothing in the 26th Amendment that forbids younger Americans from voting, and that the Constitution only ensures that those 18 or older have the right to vote.

Council members David Grosso and Brianne Nadeau co-introduced the legislation. Click here to read it.

Advocates hope the idea would encourage change in civic involvement in the District, where just 38 percent of registered voters turned out for the city's last mayoral election.

If the legislation passes, D.C. wouldn't be the first to lower the voting age. In Tacoma Park, Md., the minimum age to vote in municipal elections is 16.

Proposal would allow DC 16-year-olds to vote for president in 2016 - Story | WTTG

really bad idea in my opinion

 

[le bouffon]

Why not? Many kids their age move out, work, pay taxes, etc.

 

[Beaudreaux]

WASHINGTON - When Americans go to the polls to vote in 2016, there's a chance that 16-year-olds in Washington, D.C. could also be casting their ballots. On Tuesday, three D.C. City Council members proposed lowering the federal voting age in D.C. from 18 to 16.45

Ward 6 Council member Charles Allan is the chief author behind the Youth Vote Amendment Act of 2015. He said Tuesday that there's nothing in the 26th Amendment that forbids younger Americans from voting, and that the Constitution only ensures that those 18 or older have the right to vote.

Council members David Grosso and Brianne Nadeau co-introduced the legislation. Click here to read it.

Advocates hope the idea would encourage change in civic involvement in the District, where just 38 percent of registered voters turned out for the city's last mayoral election.

If the legislation passes, D.C. wouldn't be the first to lower the voting age. In Tacoma Park, Md., the minimum age to vote in municipal elections is 16.

Proposal would allow DC 16-year-olds to vote for president in 2016 - Story | WTTG

really bad idea in my opinion

Makes no sense - except maybe to increase the number of uninformed voters. I think that the DC City Council needs to be concerned more about getting their 16 year olds to graduate with a decent education where they actually learn and not just passed along. Additionally, maybe they would be more concerned about lowering the crime rate among 16 year olds. I think that getting more Democrats to vote in what may be the most Democrat city in the country, should last on their list of priorities.

 

[gdgyva]

Why not? Many kids their age move out, work, pay taxes, etc.

really?

how many?

what % of 16 year olds are on their own?

should that be a requirement?

here in the US most high school kids cant even name the three branches of government....much less be an educated informed voter

do they allow 16 year olds to vote in England?

 

[le bouffon]

really?

how many?

what % of 16 year olds are on their own?

should that be a requirement?

here in the US most high school kids cant even name the three branches of government....much less be an educated informed voter

do they allow 16 year olds to vote in England?

It doesn't matter how many. Should we have a quota before we give kids their age, who work, a voice at the polls? If DC wishes to do it, then so be it. As of now, it's 18 years of age in the UK, but will most likely turn in the coming year or so, due to its unpopularity.

 

[Deuce]

really?

how many?

what % of 16 year olds are on their own?

should that be a requirement?

here in the US most high school kids cant even name the three branches of government....much less be an educated informed voter

do they allow 16 year olds to vote in England?

Most 36 year olds aren't informed voters either. :shrug:

 

[Mr Person]

I think:

1. Most importantly, the age should be uniform across the nation, for national elections. If a town wants to let them vote in only local elections, that's the town's business;

2. The age should remain 18. 18 year olds are still often pretty immature, but it's even rarer to find a 16 year old who is mature. Let alone a politically knowledgeable 16 year old.

 

[WCH]

Why not? Many kids their age move out, work, pay taxes, etc.

OK prove they did all that and we'll see.

 

[gdgyva]

Most 36 year olds aren't informed voters either. :shrug:

agreed

but we arent trying to change the laws to allow them to vote

they already have the right

16 is just to young to understand the issues most of the time

there are exceptions to that rule....but for the majority, they just arent ready

 

[WCH]

I think:

1. Most importantly, the age should be uniform across the nation, for national elections. If a town wants to let them vote in only local elections, that's the town's business;

2. The age should remain 18. 18 year olds are still often pretty immature, but it's even rarer to find a 16 year old who is mature. Let alone a politically knowledgeable 16 year old.

The brain doesn't fully mature until about age 25.

This is about who they would likely vote for at 16.

 

[le bouffon]

OK prove they did all that and we'll see.

Many kids their age do. If you wish for me to prove this, then I suggest interacting with society.

 

[le bouffon]

The brain doesn't fully mature until about age 25.

This is about who they would likely vote for at 16.

And many Americans had difficulty finding Iraq on the map during the Iraq invasion. Your point is moot.

 

[Chomsky]

WASHINGTON - When Americans go to the polls to vote in 2016, there's a chance that 16-year-olds in Washington, D.C. could also be casting their ballots. On Tuesday, three D.C. City Council members proposed lowering the federal voting age in D.C. from 18 to 16.45

Ward 6 Council member Charles Allan is the chief author behind the Youth Vote Amendment Act of 2015. He said Tuesday that there's nothing in the 26th Amendment that forbids younger Americans from voting, and that the Constitution only ensures that those 18 or older have the right to vote.

Council members David Grosso and Brianne Nadeau co-introduced the legislation. Click here to read it.

Advocates hope the idea would encourage change in civic involvement in the District, where just 38 percent of registered voters turned out for the city's last mayoral election.

If the legislation passes, D.C. wouldn't be the first to lower the voting age. In Tacoma Park, Md., the minimum age to vote in municipal elections is 16.

Proposal would allow DC 16-year-olds to vote for president in 2016 - Story | WTTG

really bad idea in my opinion

I think I see 'legal pot' in D.C.'s future! :mrgreen:

 

[WCH]

Many kids their age do. If you wish for me to prove this, then I suggest interacting with society.

Oh I know many kids do . My Wife left home at 15.

I just think there should be qualifiers.

 

[WCH]

And many Americans had difficulty finding Iraq on the map during the Iraq invasion. Your point is moot.

Yet you would want the same people to vote?

 

[le bouffon]

Yet you would want the same people to vote?

Those people were over the age of 18. It defeats your point. Kids who are 16 years old should have a say.

Oh I know many kids do . My Wife left home at 15.

I just think there should be qualifiers.

See above.

 

[gdgyva]

Those people were over the age of 18. It defeats your point. Kids who are 16 years old should have a say.



See above.

sure they should have a say....in their school's politic's

in a national election? no

local election....i think that should be up to the state/locality

imo, they should be 18 for all

 

[NonoBadDog]

WASHINGTON - When Americans go to the polls to vote in 2016, there's a chance that 16-year-olds in Washington, D.C. could also be casting their ballots. On Tuesday, three D.C. City Council members proposed lowering the federal voting age in D.C. from 18 to 16.45

Ward 6 Council member Charles Allan is the chief author behind the Youth Vote Amendment Act of 2015. He said Tuesday that there's nothing in the 26th Amendment that forbids younger Americans from voting, and that the Constitution only ensures that those 18 or older have the right to vote.

Council members David Grosso and Brianne Nadeau co-introduced the legislation. Click here to read it.

Advocates hope the idea would encourage change in civic involvement in the District, where just 38 percent of registered voters turned out for the city's last mayoral election.

If the legislation passes, D.C. wouldn't be the first to lower the voting age. In Tacoma Park, Md., the minimum age to vote in municipal elections is 16.

Proposal would allow DC 16-year-olds to vote for president in 2016 - Story | WTTG

really bad idea in my opinion

They need gullible people to boost voting numbers.

 

[NonoBadDog]

Why not? Many kids their age move out, work, pay taxes, etc.

Then they should be able to carry pistols at 16 also.

 

[Thrilla]

WASHINGTON - When Americans go to the polls to vote in 2016, there's a chance that 16-year-olds in Washington, D.C. could also be casting their ballots. On Tuesday, three D.C. City Council members proposed lowering the federal voting age in D.C. from 18 to 16.45

Ward 6 Council member Charles Allan is the chief author behind the Youth Vote Amendment Act of 2015. He said Tuesday that there's nothing in the 26th Amendment that forbids younger Americans from voting, and that the Constitution only ensures that those 18 or older have the right to vote.

Council members David Grosso and Brianne Nadeau co-introduced the legislation. Click here to read it.

Advocates hope the idea would encourage change in civic involvement in the District, where just 38 percent of registered voters turned out for the city's last mayoral election.

If the legislation passes, D.C. wouldn't be the first to lower the voting age. In Tacoma Park, Md., the minimum age to vote in municipal elections is 16.

Proposal would allow DC 16-year-olds to vote for president in 2016 - Story | WTTG

really bad idea in my opinion

why not allow 12 years olds to vote?... or 3 year olds?
hell, just remove any age limits on voting and let every toddler and tyke cast a vote.

Democrats should totally get behind this...promising and delivering free candy would be way easier that trying to deliver a living wage or free healthcare..... and far cheaper for all of us as well.


seriously though... no.... just no.... it's a thoroughly dumb idea.

 

[CanadaJohn]

I would only support 16 year olds getting the vote if they were also legally able to purchase and consume alcohol as well. Every voter knows that a stiff drink or a dozen are often needed after the polls close and you see the results coming in.

Clearly, however, this is an attempt to pump liberal votes since 16 year olds are still under the propaganda tentacles of teachers and their liberal/socialist views of the world. Hard to imagine, however, that liberals need more votes in DC. The pot conspiracy theories are a good possibility.

 

[le bouffon]

Then they should be able to carry pistols at 16 also.

I agree fully.

 

[Grand Mal]

really?

how many?

what % of 16 year olds are on their own?

should that be a requirement?

here in the US most high school kids cant even name the three branches of government....much less be an educated informed voter

do they allow 16 year olds to vote in England?

They do in Scotland. Austria, too, and a couple of South American countries.

 

[danarhea]

WASHINGTON - When Americans go to the polls to vote in 2016, there's a chance that 16-year-olds in Washington, D.C. could also be casting their ballots. On Tuesday, three D.C. City Council members proposed lowering the federal voting age in D.C. from 18 to 16.45

Ward 6 Council member Charles Allan is the chief author behind the Youth Vote Amendment Act of 2015. He said Tuesday that there's nothing in the 26th Amendment that forbids younger Americans from voting, and that the Constitution only ensures that those 18 or older have the right to vote.

Council members David Grosso and Brianne Nadeau co-introduced the legislation. Click here to read it.

Advocates hope the idea would encourage change in civic involvement in the District, where just 38 percent of registered voters turned out for the city's last mayoral election.

If the legislation passes, D.C. wouldn't be the first to lower the voting age. In Tacoma Park, Md., the minimum age to vote in municipal elections is 16.

Proposal would allow DC 16-year-olds to vote for president in 2016 - Story | WTTG

really bad idea in my opinion

This will be a 14th Amendment issue. Why can 16 year old kids vote in Federal Elections in DC, but not anywhere else? It will be ruled unconstitutional, and kids in ALL states will either be allowed to vote or not allowed to vote until they are 18.

 

[Grand Mal]

I would only support 16 year olds getting the vote if they were also legally able to purchase and consume alcohol as well. Every voter knows that a stiff drink or a dozen are often needed after the polls close and you see the results coming in.

Clearly, however, this is an attempt to pump liberal votes since 16 year olds are still under the propaganda tentacles of teachers and their liberal/socialist views of the world. Hard to imagine, however, that liberals need more votes in DC. The pot conspiracy theories are a good possibility.

Funny how anytime anywhere a group of people get more rights it's a 'librul con-speercy'.