The voting age is now 18. Should it be changed? Why or why not?

 

I believe that the voting age should stay the same. We live in a country that can ask its youth to serve this country and die for it. If we can die for our country we can certainly choose who sends us into combat. Abby Nelson, 18

 

University of Arizona

 

I think that 18 is a good age to have the privilege of voting. An earlier age would be unrealistic, because I don't think most young teens have the interest nor the time to research candidates and come up with an informative decision on who to vote for. I think that young teens might just lean toward who their parents would vote for if they were to particiapate at all. Unfortunately, it's not just young teens who can tend to vote this way. I think a lot of people are guilty of this. To vote is a privilege, but also a responsibility, and it can end up taking a lot of time and effort to research candidates and come up with a sound decision. The current voting age requirement should stay as is, and if possible, we should figure out more ways to get the young people, and the older people, for that matter, interested in participating. Marian Schlitz , 23

 

Pima Community College

 

Many will argue that a 17-year-old or even a 16-year-old possesses enough intellect to vote prudently. While I agree that many teens under the age of 18 are capable of doing this, I believe 18 is the perfect voting age for an American citizen. In high school, an 18-year-old student is generally a senior and the bulk of seniors take classes in economics and government. These classes broaden students' political views and give them knowledge that enables them to understand how our government and economy function. When voting time comes, that time is coincidentally near the end of the school year – when 18-year-old seniors have almost completed their rudimentary political education. After making it through high school and grasping at least some understanding of politics, an 18-year-old is perfectly capable of making a prudent voting decision. Adiv Johnson, 17

 

Canyon del Oro High

 

I think the current voting age is working. It has been for a while know, and shouldn't be changed. It gives young adults who have just graduated from high school their first sense of real responsibility. At this age, they are capable of making decisions on their personal lives, like what career they want to follow. So, they are capable of making decisions about their country and who they want to give their tax money to. It makes them feel important, and they shouldn't take it for granted. Alona Sukhina, 14

 

University High School

 

From where I stand, 18 is the right age for people to be allowed to vote. Sure, there are those younger than that who are already mature enough to vote and those old enough who probably shouldn't be voting. But I think the majority of 18-year-olds are old enough to have the responsibility of voting. I think that 18 is the age when people earn that level of responsibility. I also think that by the age of 18, most people usually have a sense of where they stand with politics and how they want to vote. Right now, I'm personally not informed enough to vote and probably wouldn't if I could. I think when I turn 18 I'll have that responsibility of learning more about politics but right now I'm at a place where that responsibility is too much for me. Paige Salzbrenner, 17

 

Presidio High School

 

Since a person is legally considered an adult at age 18, it seems only right that the adult responsibilities and privileges they receive at this time include a voice in our country's politics. But not until then - I don't think its wise to lower this voting age. Elections and their outcomes have far-reaching effects on our nation and our future. It is best to give our citizens enough time to mature and better develop their understanding of the principles guiding our nation and the issues facing it, as well as discover their own voice and opinions rather than just mimic parents, friends, etc. Some teenagers could very well make meaningful contributions at an earlier age, but as this likely wouldn't hold true for the majority I think it's best to hold off the voting age until America's young citizens have begun taking their places in the world around them. Samantha Wager, 19

 

Pima Community College

 

Eighteen is an ideal age at which to allow voting rights, for several reasons. The age of 18 is a good median age for the achievement of intellectual maturity. Many scientists agree that the years past the age of 16 and leading into the early twenties are key to mental development in the regions of the brain that control planning and decision making. While it is true that some 17-year-olds may already be intelligent enough to vote, and some 19-year-olds may not be ready yet for voting responsibilities, 18 still represents a good median age for teens in regard to mental maturity. Secondly, it is ethically appropriate that voting rights be granted to individuals sharing the responsibility of this country's draft. Changing the voting age to be any older would be completely unfair to individuals registered for the selective service. Angela Poulson, 21

 

University of Arizona

 

The voting age should remain at 18. Eighteen is the legal age when you are an adult, and the age that you graduate from high school. If you lower the age under 18, it may not be understood. When you're 18 you're getting ready to graduate from high school, move on to college or start your life. The right to vote is a necessity once you are an adult. However, raising the age limit would be just as unfair as lowering it. Raising the age limit would mean that some adults wouldn't have the right to vote on the decisions that are being opposed in the United States. Therefore the voting age should remain as 18. Catherine Harris, 16

 

Presidio High School

 

With the voting age at 18, most voters are informed about how our government should work, and are ready to vote for a president who will keep the system running well. The voting age is fine as it is. If it's not broken, don't fix it. Even though it doesn't give all Americans a chance to elect a leader, it's still the fairest system. Something influences younger people to have more radical views about the government, with the symbol for anarchy becoming more of a fashion trend than an actual belief for government. People tend to forget that our right to vote is also a privilege, one that we should be patient for and use wisely when we can. Thomas Taccone, 15

 

Presidio High School

 

There is a very good reason the voting age is set at 18 and I do not believe it should be raised or lowered. The age of 18 is usually just about the time when a young person is graduating from high school and even moving out to live on their own to become their own individual in society instead of being sheltered by their parents. An 18-year-old will be more affected by the government as opposed to a 15-year-old, because they are more independent. The voting age should definitely not be raised because 18 is the age when a male has to register for the draft. It would simply not be fair if the voting age was raised to 21 and these young 18-year-olds are possibly sent off to war (or their death) without getting a say on the matter. Erin Gaines, 17

 

Presidio High School

 

I feel that the voting age should stay as it is now because 18 is the proper age to be able to cast your vote for the American president. It is at 18 when you are legally considered an adult, and that alone is enough to constitute the right to participate. Everyone in the nation should have the right to pick one candidate they prefer and cast a vote, but I think that there is an age requirement because the government is trying to maintain some kind of minimum maturity level. If anything, I think that the age requirement should be lowered, rather than raised. Those who have an opinion would have the right to cast it, and those who do not have an opinion, simply wouldn't vote. Justin Good, 18

 

Presidio High School

 

I think the voting age should stay at 18, because that is the year we associate with coming into adulthood. When we become adults, we start making our own decisions and (sometimes) living on our own. I believe that the ability to vote after the 18th birthday is something we look at as an adult responsibility. If a teenager can become an adult, gain knowledge of what he or she believes to be right for this country and start making his or her own decisions, then that person should be allowed to vote - but not before that. Courtney C. Johnson, 19

 

University of Arizona

 

When you turn 18, you become legally responsible for yourself. Part of the responsibility is to vote. At age 18 you can understand governmental issues much better, you have found who you are and what party you'll stand by, and the dealings of the government affect you more because you pay the taxes. During your younger years it may be difficult to understand the political issues for the elections, if you care at all to watch or listen. If the younger population was able to vote, the presidential elections would turn out like a junior high election, a contest for the most popular! Eighteen is the perfect age for voting: you understand the issues, you opinions are shaped and you are much more independent than someone who is 14 or 16. Shelby King, 14

 

Salpointe Catholic High School

 

There is a distinct parallel between the acquisition of voting rights and the rite of passage from childhood to adulthood. Many new responsibilities and privileges come with turning 18, such as being able to sign contracts, get a drivers license without first having a permit, and purchase firearms. With these rights and privileges comes the responsibility to take part in selecting the governing officials who secure and allow us those rights and privileges. I feel that 18 is a good age because it allows young people to have a voice about things that pertain to them once they are recognized as legal adults. Conversely, I don't see the need for minors to be taking on the responsibilities that come with voting before they are considered adults. They have better things to do, such as educate themselves so that when they are able to vote, they can make informed political decisions. David Liapis, 22

 

USAF