Should Voting Age Be Lowered to 16?

Summary

This script explores the debate over whether the voting age should be lowered to 16. It highlights historical changes in voting rights, the maturity and cognitive development of teenagers, and the potential benefits of early political engagement. The video also discusses the experiences of other countries and specific U.S. cities that allow 16-year-olds to vote, suggesting that young people are capable of participating meaningfully in the democratic process.

Takeaways

• 📜 At 18, individuals are considered adults in society and gain various rights including voting, joining the military, and getting a tattoo.
• 🗳️ The right to vote is a significant aspect of American democracy, with a history of evolving voting laws to include more citizens over time.
• 🌟 Young people under 18 have been influential in movements like Black Lives Matter and March for Our Lives, advocating for issues that affect them.
• 🧠 The brain continues to develop into the mid-twenties, with emotional decision-making (hot cognition) being more challenging for teenagers compared to adults.
• 🏛 Historically, voting rights in the U.S. were restricted to land-owning white Christian males, but have since been expanded to include all citizens 18 and over.
• 🔄 The 26th Amendment was a significant step in lowering the voting age from 21 to 18, influenced by the Vietnam War and the argument that those who fight for their country should vote in it.
• 🤔 The debate over lowering the voting age to 16 raises questions about maturity and life experience, with some arguing that teenagers are not ready for such a responsibility.
• 🌍 Some countries and cities, like those in Maryland, allow 16-year-olds to vote in local elections, suggesting that it is not an uncommon practice worldwide.
• 🏫 Advocates for lowering the voting age argue that 16-year-olds are affected by laws and should have a say, especially in areas like school policy and taxation.
• 📊 Studies show that voting in the first eligible election can establish voting as a habit, with higher participation rates among 16 and 17-year-olds in some local elections.
• 📣 Beyond voting, young people can influence politics through education, community organization, and motivating others, emphasizing that there are multiple ways to participate in democracy.

Q & A

At what age is an individual generally considered an adult in society?

In society, an individual is generally considered an adult when they turn 18.

What are some rights and privileges gained at the age of 18?

At 18, individuals gain the right to join the military, be eligible for jury duty, get tattoos, and most importantly, the right to vote.

How have young people under the age of 18 influenced lawmakers in recent years?

Young people under 18 have influenced lawmakers through movements like Black Lives Matter and the March for Our Lives, putting pressure on them to address issues such as police brutality and gun violence.

At what age can an individual start working, pay taxes, and be tried as an adult for some crimes?

At the age of 16, an individual can start working, pay taxes, and in some cases, be tried as an adult for certain crimes.

What is the historical context of the voting age in the United States?

The voting age in the United States has evolved over time. Initially, there was no mention of a voting age in the Constitution, and states required voters to be at least 21, white, male, and land-owning. Over the years, property and religion requirements were abolished, and amendments and acts like the 15th, 19th, and 26th Amendments, as well as the Voting Rights Act, expanded voting rights to more people, eventually setting the voting age at 18.

What was the rationale behind lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 in the United States?

The rationale behind lowering the voting age to 18 was the argument that if individuals were old enough to be drafted and die for their country during the Vietnam War, they should be able to vote in it as well.

What are some arguments against lowering the voting age to 16?

Arguments against lowering the voting age to 16 include the belief that 16-year-olds may not be mature enough or have enough life experience. Additionally, their brains are still developing, which can affect their decision-making, particularly in emotionally charged situations.

How does the brain development of teenagers affect their decision-making?

Teenagers' brains are still developing, and they may struggle with 'hot cognition,' which involves emotions and typically a conflict between risk and reward. This can lead to impulsive and irrational decisions when things get emotional.

What is the trend regarding the legal age for certain activities in the past decade?

In the past decade, there has been a trend toward increasing the legal age for activities such as driving a car and buying cigarettes. Some states have also raised the age at which individuals can be tried as adults.

Which countries allow voting at the age of 16, and what is the situation in the United States regarding local elections?

Countries like Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, and Nicaragua allow voting at 16. In the United States, while the federal voting age is 18, three cities in Maryland have granted 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote in local elections.

What are the arguments in favor of allowing 16-year-olds to vote?

Arguments in favor of allowing 16-year-olds to vote include the fact that they are affected by laws and pay taxes, they should have a stake in decisions that affect them such as school policy, and that voting in their first eligible election can set up voting as a habit.

How does the script suggest young people can get involved in politics if they can't vote?

The script suggests that young people can get involved in politics by educating themselves and their communities, organizing, and motivating their families and neighborhoods. It also mentions that teachers can engage students in discussions about this topic through platforms like KQED Learn.

Outlines

00:00

🗳️ Voting Age Controversy: Should 16-Year-Olds Vote?

This paragraph discusses the current voting age of 18 in the United States and the historical evolution of voting rights. It highlights the activism of young people under 18, such as those involved in the Black Lives Matter and March for Our Lives movements, who have pressured lawmakers on issues like police brutality and gun violence. The paragraph also points out that at 16, individuals can work, pay taxes, and in some cases, be tried as adults for crimes, yet they cannot vote. It questions whether the voting age should be lowered to 16, considering the maturity and cognitive development of teenagers, and the fact that some countries and localities already allow 16-year-olds to vote in certain elections.

05:00

🌐 Global and Local Perspectives on Youth Voting

The second paragraph explores the global perspective on allowing 16-year-olds to vote, mentioning countries like Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, and Nicaragua where this is already a practice. It also notes that in the U.S., while the federal voting age is 18, some local areas have permitted 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in local elections. The paragraph discusses the argument that 16-year-olds should have a say in laws that affect them, especially in areas like school policy and taxation where they are directly involved. It also touches on the importance of voting in one's first eligible election as a means to establish voting as a lifelong habit, and how being at a familiar place, like home, can increase the likelihood of voting for the first time.

Keywords

💡Adulthood

Adulthood refers to the stage of life when an individual is considered fully grown and legally responsible. In the context of the video, it is highlighted that turning 18 marks the beginning of adulthood in society, with the ability to join the military, serve on a jury, and vote, which are significant rights and responsibilities that come with maturity.

💡Voting Age

The voting age is the minimum age required to participate in elections. The video discusses the historical evolution of the voting age, from the initial lack of a specified age in the U.S. Constitution to the ratification of the 26th Amendment, which set the voting age at 18. It also raises the question of whether the voting age should be lowered to 16.

💡Civic Engagement

Civic engagement encompasses the various ways individuals participate in the political life of a community or a nation. The script mentions young people under 18 influencing lawmakers, which is a form of civic engagement, despite not being able to vote. It underscores the importance of being involved in politics beyond just casting a ballot.

💡Brain Development

Brain development refers to the process of growth and maturation of the brain. The video script points out that the brain continues to develop through adolescence and into young adulthood, with different parts maturing at different rates. This is relevant to the discussion on lowering the voting age, as it suggests that younger individuals might not have the same emotional regulation or decision-making capabilities as older adults.

💡Cold Cognition

Cold cognition is the process of making decisions based on logic and reason without the influence of emotions. The script contrasts this with hot cognition, noting that teenagers are capable of cold cognition but may struggle with decision-making that involves emotional factors, which could impact their voting choices.

💡Hot Cognition

Hot cognition involves decision-making that is influenced by emotions and is often associated with impulsive behavior. The video suggests that teenagers might be more prone to hot cognition, which could make them more susceptible to making irrational decisions, a point raised in the debate about lowering the voting age.

💡Taxation Without Representation

Taxation without representation is a political slogan that originated during the American Revolution, highlighting the unfairness of being taxed without having a voice in government. The video uses this concept to argue that 16-year-olds, who may pay taxes on their earnings, should have the right to vote on policies that affect them.

💡Voting Rights Act

The Voting Rights Act is a landmark piece of U.S. civil rights legislation passed in 1965 to enforce the voting rights guaranteed by the 15th Amendment. The video mentions this act as part of the historical progression towards inclusive voting rights, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for equal access to voting.

💡26th Amendment

The 26th Amendment is an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that lowered the minimum voting age from 21 to 18. The video highlights its ratification as a significant step in the evolution of voting rights, and it serves as a historical precedent for the current debate about further lowering the voting age.

💡Representation

Representation in a political context means having a voice or influence in the decision-making process through elected officials or direct participation. The video argues for the importance of 16-year-olds having representation in government, as they are affected by laws and policies but currently lack the means to vote on them.

💡Habit Formation

Habit formation refers to the process by which a behavior becomes regular through repetition. The script suggests that voting in one's first eligible election can establish voting as a habit, implying that starting to vote at 16 might lead to a lifelong pattern of civic participation.

Highlights

At 18, individuals are considered adults with rights such as joining the military, serving on a jury, getting tattoos, and voting.

Young people under 18 have influenced lawmakers on issues like police brutality and gun violence through movements like Black Lives Matter and March for Our Lives.

At 16, individuals can work, pay taxes, and be tried as adults for some crimes, indicating the impact of laws on them before they can vote.

The idea of rethinking the voting age and allowing 16-year-olds to vote is proposed.

Voting is a right in America, unlike in 40% of the world where people cannot vote.

Historical evolution of voting laws, starting with property and religion requirements, then changes post-Civil War, and the eventual lowering of the voting age to 18.

Critics argue that 16-year-olds lack maturity and life experience to make informed political decisions.

Neuroscience supports the argument that the teenage brain is still developing, affecting decision-making abilities.

A trend of increasing the legal age for activities like driving and buying cigarettes is noted, which contrasts with lowering the voting age.

Some countries and cities allow 16-year-olds to vote, suggesting it's not inherently controversial.

Advocates for lowering the voting age argue that 16-year-olds should have a say in laws that affect them, such as school policy and taxation.

Studies show that voting in the first eligible election can establish voting as a habit.

16-year-olds are more likely to vote if they are in a familiar environment, like their hometown.

Data from a Maryland city shows higher voter turnout among 16 and 17-year-olds compared to 18-year-olds.

Involvement in politics is encouraged for young people through education and community organization, beyond just voting.

Teachers and students are encouraged to discuss the topic of voting age on KQED Learn.

Transcripts

- When you turn 18,

our society generally considers you an adult.

You can join the military.

You're eligible for jury duty.

You can get that sweet tattoo

that we all know you'll regret in five years.

And of course, you gain the right to vote.

That's when you finally get a say in how this country works.

But over the past few years,

through movements like Black Lives Matter

and the March for Our Lives,

we've seen young people under the age of 18

put pressure on lawmakers to take action

on serious issues that affect them.

Like police brutality and gun violence.

Combine that with the fact that at 16

you can work, pay taxes,

and even be tried as an adult for some crimes,

and it's pretty obvious that the country's laws

have an impact on nearly one everyone

well before they can cast their vote.

Maybe we need to rethink the voting age.

Should 16 year olds be allowed to vote?

Okay.

So voting may not seem like a big deal,

especially since there are a ton

of eligible voters out there that don't vote.

I'm looking at you Millennials.

But it's kind of awesome that in America

voting is a right.

I mean, 40% of the world

doesn't even have the option to vote.

Which means they don't have a say in their government.

However, the laws governing who can vote and who can't

have evolved over time.

When the Constitution was ratified in 1788,

there was no mention of a voting age.

Instead, pretty much every state required you to be

at least 21, and a land-owning white Christian male.

No, no, no.

Not Christian Bale, well, I mean that works too.

By 1830, most states had abolished

the property and religion requirements.

So if you were white, male and at least 21,

you could vote.

Then, in the years after the Civil War,

things really started to change.

In 1868, former slaves were guaranteed citizenship

with the passing of the 14th Amendment.

Two years later, the 15th Amendment

guaranteed black males the right to vote,

although their voting rights

were actively suppressed for decades,

and even still today.

Then came the women.

After years of activism, they won the right to vote

in 1920 with the passage of the 19th Amendment.

In 1965, the Voting Rights Act prohibited

racial discrimination of any kind in voting.

So by the late 60s, finally everyone 21 and over

could actually vote in the U.S.

But the journey doesn't end there, folks.

The late 60s was the peak of the Vietnam War.

The U.S. government drafted thousands

of 18 to 21 year old men.

Protestors argued that if you were old enough

to die for your country,

you should be able to vote in it too.

So in 1971, Congress approved,

and then the states ratified the 26th Amendment

which guarantees voting rights

to any American citizen 18 or older.

Okay, so why not lower the voting age even lower to 16?

Why not keep evolving?

Well, going from 21 to 18 is a way easier sale

than going from 18 to 16.

Some critics say that 16 year olds

aren't mature enough or have enough life experience.

After all, most are high schoolers

legally required to attend school

and generally are dependent on their family

for food, clothing, and shelter.

I mean, when I think back to my 16-year-old self

and my classmates, do I really trust them

to make informed political decisions?

The maturity argument isn't just adults

throwing shade at the young 'uns.

There is some science to back it up.

All parts of the brain don't develop at the same pace.

What your brain looks like at 16

will be different than how it looks at 18 or 21 or even 25.

So what does that mean for teens?

Well, there are basically two different methods

that our brains use to understand and process the world.

The first is cold cognition,

which is normal everyday decision making

that doesn't involve your emotions.

Like picking between Uber and Lyft.

Teens are just fine with cold cognition.

Hot cognition, on the other hand, involves emotion.

Typically a conflict between risk and reward.

Research shows that teens often struggle with that.

Meaning they're more likely to be impulsive

and irrational when things get emotional.

So if you're a 16 year old voter entering the booth,

which part of your brain are you using?

On top of that, there's a trend toward

increasing the legal age for things.

Over the past decade, states have raised the legal age

for things like driving a car and buying cigarettes.

North Carolina will no longer charge

16 and 17 year olds as adults.

Allowing 16 year olds to vote would run against this trend.

Those in favor of lowering the voting age

point to the fact that if you take a look at

some other countries around the world,

letting 16 year olds vote isn't controversial.

Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Cuba,

Ecuador, and Nicaragua all allow voting at 16.

And while in the U.S. you still need to be

at least 18 to vote in federal elections,

stuff like voting for president and senators.

Three cities in Maryland have granted

16 and 17 year olds the right to vote in local elections.

Many argue that 16 year olds should have a stake

in the laws that affect them.

They go to school,

so why not let them vote on school policy?

A lot of them have jobs

where they get taxed on their earnings

without having any voting power

to affect change in their government.

That's taxation without representation.

Which, if you remember the Boston Tea Party

from history class was a big reason why

we fought the Revolutionary War and created the U.S.

There are also studies showing

that it's also important to vote

in your first eligible election

because it sets up voting as a habit.

At 18, many are moving out of their parents' homes.

They're going to college and taking jobs.

Being highly mobile can make it hard to register to vote

at a specific address.

You're more likely to vote for the first time

if you're at home, in a familiar place.

Like a lot of kids are at 16.

And there's some real data to back this up.

In one of those Maryland cities

where you can start voting at 16,

about 17% of 16 and 17 year old eligible voters

cast a ballot in a local election.

That's about double the 8.5% of eligible 18 year olds.

Alright folks.

What do you think?

Should 16 year olds be allowed to vote?

Let us know in the comments below.

And even if you can't vote,

there's a lot of ways to get involved with politics.

Young people can motivate their families and neighborhoods

through education and community organization.

Voting isn't the only way to make your voice heard, people.

And hey, if you're a middle or high school teacher,

you can get your students

talking about this topic on KQED Learn.

Check it out, right over there.

And if you're a student,

you can teach your teacher something

by showing this video on KQED Learn.

Bonus points for sure, guaranteed.

And as always,

like, subscribe, tell your friends about us.

Keep watching our videos.

And stay above the noise.

Later.