I think the voting age should be lowered to 16 because many 16-year-olds are already participating in society, so they should have a say in the decisions that affect them. For example, if a 16-year-old has a job, then they pay taxes. If you can get taxed on your money, then you should be able to vote because many topics for candidates include taxation. They should not be taxed without representation. Many teens feel powerless in the government and that they don’t have a voice. Lowering the voting age would give them a voice and even fuel a passion for government. I also think that kids in the newer generation have surpassed kids from the past generation. In the article, Meng said that when he was 16, he was going to the movies; 16-year-olds now are lobbying for legislation on Capitol Hill. Because these kids are so concerned about their government, they should be allowed to vote to improve the government.
Many people say that 16-year-olds lack the maturity or life experience to be able to make an informed vote. They argue that people this age are heavily influenced by friends and family, so they can be pushed to vote one way or another. A teen from the article states that some children may even be better informed about voting than most adults they know. Even if some children lack that maturity and experience, being given the responsibility of voting might provide them with the experience and help them build a good political foundation. By lowering the voting age, society can ensure that young people will grow into more engaged and informed voters.
