I believe that the voting age should be lowered to 16-17-year-olds. Instilling the importance of participating in the democracy at a young age may increase voter turnout over the course of the next few elections. The idea of no taxation without representation dates back to the 13th century; it’s illogical to exclude youth from the principle that’s shaped democracy for the last 800 years. Teenagers are affected substantially by rules put into place through people elected by voting. To allow them to vote on issues that directly affect them is the right thing to do.
I can understand the argument that some new voters may go along with whatever their parents tell them to, but that’s like assuming that just because someone tells you to do something, you will. Teenagers tend to rebel no matter what they’re told, and giving them a taste of freedom to vote on their own beliefs gives them insight into what it’s like being an adult.
