Should Teens Be Allowed to Vote?

    Cami, 16, is on a mission to save the planet. And so far, that mission is going well. 

    She set up her school’s recycling program. She got every grocery store in town to stop using plastic bags. She even gave all her birthday money to a group that keeps local beaches clean.

    But one thing Cami can’t do to protect the world around her? She can’t vote in this month’s election. That means she won’t be able to vote for lawmakers who support her cause. 

    “It really isn’t fair,” Cami says. “Like many teens, I’m very active in my town. Shouldn’t I also have the right to vote?”

    Cami, 16, is on a mission to save the planet. And it’s going well.

    She set up her school’s recycling program. She got every grocery store in town to stop using plastic bags. She gave her birthday money to a group that keeps local beaches clean.

    But Cami can’t vote in this month’s election. She won’t be able to vote for lawmakers who support her cause. 

    “It really isn’t fair,” Cami says. “Like many teens, I’m very active in my town. Shouldn’t I also have the right to vote?”

    Cami, 16, is on a mission to save the planet—and so far, that mission is going well.

    She organized her school’s recycling program, and she got every grocery store in town to stop using plastic bags. She even donated all her birthday money to a group that keeps local beaches clean.

    But one thing Cami can’t do to protect the environment is vote in this month’s election. That means she won’t be able to vote for lawmakers who support her cause.

    “It really isn’t fair,” Cami says. “Like many teens, I’m very active in my town. Shouldn’t I also have the right to vote?”

    In many states, 16-year-olds like Cami can do some very grown-up things. They can drive a car. They can get a job. They can even get married. But they can’t vote until they’re 18. 

    Now a group of teenagers is trying to change that. They’ve joined together behind a project called Vote16USA. Their goal is to get the voting age lowered to 16 in local elections. Why?

    Many teens with jobs pay taxes. The government uses taxes to pay for things like schools and roads. This money is taken out of teens’ paychecks. Shouldn’t teens be able to vote for the people who decide how taxes are used?

    Some adults say no. They say lowering the voting age is pointless. They think young people don’t care enough to show up and vote. 

    But the teens of Takoma Park, Maryland, have already proved them wrong. In 2013, this city lowered the voting age for local elections to 16. Since then, more 16- and 17-year-olds have voted than any other age group.

    In many states, 16-year-olds can do some very grown-up things. They can drive. They can get a job. They can even get married. But they can’t vote.

    Now a group of teens is trying to change that. They’re supporting a project called Vote16USA. Their goal is to get the voting age lowered to 16 in local elections. Why?

    Many teens with jobs pay taxes. The government uses taxes to pay for things like schools and roads. This money is taken out of teens’ paychecks. Shouldn’t teens get to vote for the people who decide how the money is used?

    Some adults say no. They say lowering the voting age is pointless. They think young people don’t care enough to vote.

    But the teens of Takoma Park, Maryland, have already proved them wrong. In 2013, this city lowered the voting age for local elections to 16. Since then, more 16- and 17-year-olds have voted than any other age group.

    In many states, 16-year-olds like Cami can do some very adult things: drive a car, get a job, and even get married. But they can’t vote until they’re 18.

    Now a group of teenagers is trying to change that. They’ve joined together to support a project called Vote16USA. Their goal is to get the voting age lowered to 16 in local elections. Why?

    Many teens with jobs pay taxes, which the government uses to pay for things like schools and roads. This money is taken out of teens’ paychecks. Shouldn’t teens be able to vote for the people who decide how taxes are used?

    Some adults say no. They argue that lowering the voting age is pointless, because young people don’t care enough to show up and vote.

    But the teens of Takoma Park, Maryland, have already proved them wrong. In 2013, this city lowered the voting age for local elections to 16. Since then, more 16- and 17-year-olds have voted than any other age group.

    Still, voting is about more than showing up. You also have to know how the government works. The study of government is called civics—and only nine states make you take a year of it in school. Many adults believe teens need more civics education before they can vote.

    Other adults wonder why we should choose 16 as the voting age. After all, how different is a 16-year-old from a 15-year-old? Will people be calling for the age to be lowered to 15 next? They say there needs to be a cutoff somewhere.

    Still, voting is about more than showing up. You also have to know how the government works. The study of government is called civics. Only nine states make you take a year of it in school. Many adults say teens haven’t learned enough civics to vote.

    Other adults wonder why we should choose 16 as the voting age. Will people want the age to be lowered to 15 next? They say there needs to be a cut-off somewhere.

    Still, voting is about more than showing up. You also have to understand how the government operates. The study of government is called civics—and only nine states require students to take a year of it in school. Many adults believe teens need more civics education before they can vote.

    Other adults question the purpose of choosing 16 as the voting age. After all, how different is a 16-year-old from a 15-year-old? Will people be campaigning for the age to be lowered to 15 next? They say there needs to be a cut-off somewhere.

    Right now, the voting age in most towns is still 18. But even if you can’t vote, you can still make a difference. 

    Talk to your parents—or any adult who will listen. Make sure they vote. Let them know what issues matter to you. If you speak up, your voice will be heard. 

    Right now, the voting age in most towns is still 18. Maybe you can’t vote, but you can still make a difference.

    Talk to the adults in your life. Make sure they vote. Let them know what issues matter to you. If you speak up, your voice will be heard.

    Currently, the voting age in most towns is still 18—but even if you can’t vote, you can still make a difference.

    Talk to your parents—or any adult who will listen. Make sure they vote, and ask them about the issues that are important to you. If you speak up, your voice will be heard.