More than 12 Democratic representatives introduced an amendment to the Constitution which would grant 16-year-olds the right to vote. The resolution would change the 26th Amendment, which states that U.S. citizens have the right to vote upon reaching the age of 18. The current amendment reads:
The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.
Democratic Rep. Grace Meng of New York said lowering the voting age would allow young people to have a voice on issues ranging from "gun safety to the climate crisis." Therefore, the text would be replaced and would state that:
The right of citizens of the United States, who are sixteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.
Bill Ms. MENG by Voz Media on Scribd
The 26th Amendment was ratified in 1971 and lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. This followed pressure brought on by the Vietnam War, in which large numbers of teenagers were drafted to fight overseas even though they could not vote.
"Lower the voting age, the planet depends on it"
This proposal was already introduced last year when Democrats held the majority in Congress. However, they did not support Meng. In March 2022, 125 Democrats and only one Republican voted in favor of lowering the voting rights age to 16, but it was not enough support to pass the amendment.
"Our young people, including 16- and 17-year-olds, continue to fight and advocate for so many issues they are passionate about, from gun safety to the climate crisis. They have been tremendously engaged in the policies that affect their lives and their futures," Meng said.
Various groups that support the idea of a lower voting age do support the change. Vote16USA posted a message on its site that read, "Lower the voting age, the planet depends on it." Another supporter, Next Up Action Fund, argued that "16 and 17 year olds are engaged, intelligent and capable of casting informed votes."
"We need to defend their right to vote"
Democrats who endorsed the bill, including co-sponsors Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley, also cited the importance of getting younger voters to the polls. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said, "We need to defend their right to vote."
It is our younger generation that will face the long-term consequences of our policy challenges, such as blocked action on climate change, gun violence and reproductive rights.
Amending the Constitution requires approval of the resolution by a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate and then ratification by three-fourths of the state legislatures.
