Democrats are spearheading efforts to lower the voting age to 16, and this trend is gaining steam in many communities around the country.
The “Vote 16” campaign was a resounding success in several municipalities in Vermont, Maryland, and California.
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Teenagers are now permitted to cast ballots in local elections in Brattleboro, Vermont.
The Democrat-led state legislature overrode the Republican governor’s veto of a law providing 16 and 17-year-olds the ability to vote in local elections. Additionally, this measure gives these young people the right to run for the highest elected positions.
Fox News states:
Wonderful news! In the southern Vermont town of Brattleboro, 16 and 17-year-olds now have the right to vote and take part in municipal politics. These young voters have the option to vote in municipal elections and, if elected, serve on the community’s selectboard. They can also be elected to serve as delegates in the town’s annual town meeting, where they are very important in deciding local matters. These newly acquired rights enable and involve our youngsters in determining the course of our community.
Rep. Emilie Kornheiser of Brattleboro believes that boosting young voting participation is essential for maintaining their political engagement.
“Vermont is an aging state and we’re a state that really prides ourself on democracy and participation,” According to the Associated Press, Kornheiser remarked. “I think the more we can do to bring youth into that process so that they learn the skills and practice the skills of participation and politics with sort of a lower case ‘p’ the stronger our communities will be and the more I think folks will feel tied to their communities.”
Scott vetoed the measure in late May, claiming that it would make Vermont’s inconsistent laws on the legal age of majority worse.
“I believe it is important to encourage young Vermonters to have an interest in issues affecting their schools, their communities, their state, and their country,” He wrote to lawmakers in a letter. “However, I do not support lowering the voting age in Brattleboro, nor lowering the age to run for Town office and sign contracts on behalf of taxpayers.”
“A half dozen cities and towns in California and Maryland have lowered the voting age to 16 for either all local elections or school board elections, according to the National Youth Rights Association,” reports Boston 25 News.
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Added by Boston 25 News
While its passage “will bring a new wave of civically engaged youth up through their teenage years,” said Rio Daims, who first began working on the youth vote campaign in 2018 when she was 16, the legislative process should not have taken so long.
Daims acknowledged Brattleboro’s enthusiastic support for the plan. She did, however, express disappointment that the original provision, which gave the opportunity to serve on the school board, was eventually taken out during the legislative process.
“I see this aspect of the amendment as essential, given that one of the dominant parts of a teenager’s life is their schooling. High school students have little lift in decision making in school, and they deserve more power there,” she said by email.
