Kathy Thach
English- Brannen
3/30/16
Why 13 Year Olds Should Be Able to Vote:
The American youth suffer under a double standard of having adult
responsibilities, but not rights. Adults are always saying that teenagers can make
the world a better place. If the voting age is lowered to thirteen, then teenagers
would finally have a say in the overbearing world of politics. The youth of America
will be the next generation, and they should have the power to choose (Stroll).
Granting thirteen year olds the right to vote would help begin political
interests for the future. It would also increase the voter turnout now and in the
future. In 2012, the voter turnout rate for the presidential election was 57%. If
teenagers start voting early, theyll continue to do it the rest of their lives. People
always think that teenagers will vote for the most egotistical person, or they are too
immature to know who to vote for. Is it at all possible for a voter to vote wrong? Did
voters choose poorly when they elected Clinton in 1996? Republicans say so. Did
voters choose poorly when they elected Bush in 2004? Democrats say so. If youth
were able to vote for either party, or against them, would they be voting wrong? All
voters have their reasons for voting and their reasons should be respected (Stroll).
Lowering the voting age will provide an intrinsic benefit to the lives of youth.
Giving youth the right to vote will have a direct effect on their character,
intelligence, and sense of responsibility. After thirteen years of being told they are
too young to understand, and shouldnt be heard, is anyone surprised that many
people over 18 feel turned off by politics and dont vote? Small gestures like mock
voting has a large effect on teens interests in politics. More than 71% of students
reported frequently or occasionally questioning parents about elections at home.
These same students viewed voting with great importance. About 94% felt it was
Kathy Thach
English- Brannen
3/30/16
very important to vote. Including youth in a real, substantive way in politics leads
to even more interest as they enter the political realm (Holm).
Adults just always seem to think that youth will unwittingly vote. Besides
carelessly throwing a vote away, some worry that youth will vote for a dangerous
radical. These fears are really unfounded. Ones political views are influenced by
their family and their community. It is very likely young voters will vote in the same
way as their parents, not because they are forced to do so, but because of shared
values. With the voting age at 13 there is an opportunity to be a more educated
voter in high school. It stands to show that these young voters will be better
prepared than some elders (Farson).
In conclusion, lowering the voting age may not be the magic bullet to
improve youth lives, but by giving them a real stake in their futures and their
current lives, it will push them to be involved and active citizens of the United
States. Youth everywhere strongly urge lawmakers and individuals in the country to
consider lowering the voting age.
