Following the shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the country watched intelligent, responsible, and traumatized young people speak out on the dangers of gun violence, organize marches, and offer reasoned, mature arguments for their cause. Despite the fact that these young people’s lives are on the line because of U.S. policy, they are not considered old enough to vote.
Rep. Ayanna Presley (D-MA) wants to change that.
I am honored & excited to be introducing my very 1st amendment on the House floor, an amendment to #HR1, the #ForthePeopleAct. My amendment will lower the voting age from 18 to 16, allowing our youth to have a seat at the table of democracy. #16toVote pic.twitter.com/67IzCtUh8k
— Rep Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) March 6, 2019
49 yrs ago, Senator Ted Kennedy argued before his colleagues in favor of lowering the voting age as an effort to “bring our youth into full and lasting participation in our institutions of democratic government.” #16toVote #ForThePeople → https://t.co/6HUFCpIaMS
— Rep Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) March 6, 2019
Since the days of abolitionists, suffragists, & civil rights activists, young people have been pushing the wheels of progress forward. Thank you to my sister in service @RepGraceMeng for leading the charge on this issue | #16toVote #ForThePeople pic.twitter.com/TGqJ0i5fCC
— Rep Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) March 6, 2019
Pressley argues that it is young people who best understand and have to live with the most consequential issues of our day, including gun violence, and that their voices should be heard in every election.
‘Across this nation, young people are leading the way – from gun violence, to climate change, to the future of work – they are organizing, mobilizing, and calling us to action.’
While others disagree on the grounds that courts consider a 16-year-old too young to be tried as an adult in many cases, the rights of young people who often work and pay taxes at the age of 16 and are well-versed in the political climate of the day should be recognized and should have the right to choose their representatives.
‘Our young people are at the forefront of some of the most existential crises facing our communities and our society at large. I believe that those who will inherit the nation we design here in Congress by virtue of our policies and authority should have a say in who represents them.’
Twitter was supportive of Pressley’s idea. Read some of their comments below:
Featured image screenshot via YouTube
