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appalachiablue

(41,146 posts)
Thu Jun 14, 2018, 01:34 PM Jun 2018

Michigan Democrats Propose Lowering Voting Age to 16

Source: The Hill

Two Michigan state lawmakers have introduced a proposal that would lower the voting age to 16 for state elections. Rep. Yousef Rabhi (D) and Sen. David Knezek (D) introduced bills in both the House and Senate on Tuesday. Knezek told the Detroit Free Press that 16-year-olds should be able to vote if they are old enough to get a job and pay taxes.

"Young people are setting aside their differences and identifying issues they think need to change," he said, referring to the outpouring of student activism in the wake of recent school shootings. "And they can do everything to get that change except vote."

Changes to the U.S. and Michigan constitutions would be needed to lower the voting age, the Free Press noted, adding that a super majority in the state's House and the Senate would be required to change the state's constitution. That's not likely, it said, considering Republicans control both chambers.

Congress would also have to pass a measure and then send it back to the states for ratification. The nationwide voting age was last changed in 1971, from 21 to 18...more..

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/392295-michigan-democrats-propose-changing-vote-age-to-16



Students from Parkland announced in early June they'd be going on a nationwide bus tour to register young people to vote.

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Michigan Democrats Propose Lowering Voting Age to 16 (Original Post) appalachiablue Jun 2018 OP
If you risk your life just to attend school you should have the right to vote for your protection Wwcd Jun 2018 #1
Dying from uncontrolled US gun violence everywhere, old enough to Vote. appalachiablue Jun 2018 #3
Yup. Do they want schools or armed encampments Wwcd Jun 2018 #5
So you forgot Sandy Hook Newtown or you want to lower the age to 6? Use logic. No and no. . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Jun 2018 #7
Sadly some of the kids who lost their lives attending school are even younger than that crazycatlady Jun 2018 #10
I believe 16 is appropriate. Start teaching civics in school. (Not the biblical version) Wwcd Jun 2018 #11
I live in Michigan DownriverDem Jun 2018 #2
Absolutely, it's justified and necessary. appalachiablue Jun 2018 #4
I oppose. The pre-frontal cortex (executive decision-making) not fully formed at 16. Eighteen better Bernardo de La Paz Jun 2018 #6
I tend to agree. Ilsa Jun 2018 #9
Yet we allow people to operate a vehicle at 16 crazycatlady Jun 2018 #12
With restrictions & higher insurance barriers & much greater rate of accidents. Besides, Bernardo de La Paz Jun 2018 #13
Yes and people at 16 can work, pay taxes, operate a 3-ton vehicle and appalachiablue Jun 2018 #15
See #15. appalachiablue Jun 2018 #16
Age doesn't always make it better. Example: Trump n/t Zing Zing Zingbah Jun 2018 #20
Just the kind of distraction the RepubliCons love. Debate this while they move behind the curtain. Bernardo de La Paz Jun 2018 #8
I think these teens might be really happy about that. ffr Jun 2018 #14
26th amendment bluevoter4life Jun 2018 #17
If they can die for their country at the end of a military weapon truthisfreedom Jun 2018 #18
I don't think that is a good idea. Demsrule86 Jun 2018 #19
 

Wwcd

(6,288 posts)
1. If you risk your life just to attend school you should have the right to vote for your protection
Thu Jun 14, 2018, 01:38 PM
Jun 2018

Thats how I feel.

They are the next generation of leaders. They should become aware of the value of one vote.

crazycatlady

(4,492 posts)
10. Sadly some of the kids who lost their lives attending school are even younger than that
Thu Jun 14, 2018, 03:57 PM
Jun 2018

As much as I support expanding voting rights, I don't think they should be expanded to as young as the Sandy Hook kids were.

Ilsa

(61,695 posts)
9. I tend to agree.
Thu Jun 14, 2018, 03:42 PM
Jun 2018

Everyone has rights that need protecting from birth on. I don't think we should be allowing first graders a ballot just because are worried about bullies, spelling bees, and velociraptors. Their rights need to be protected by their families and by society. It takes a village.

Besides, the age is lowered again, more voting power will go to heads of large households as they tell young Jack and Jill how to cast their votes.

Bernardo de La Paz

(49,011 posts)
13. With restrictions & higher insurance barriers & much greater rate of accidents. Besides,
Thu Jun 14, 2018, 04:54 PM
Jun 2018

... driving a vehicle has less executive decision making whereas voting is purely executive (frontal cortex).

The age 16 for driving a vehicle is kind of grandfathered in from when farming communities were a much greater proportion than today. Even so, it is of course useful for parents of high schoolers who often can't taxi them from one commitment to another.

appalachiablue

(41,146 posts)
15. Yes and people at 16 can work, pay taxes, operate a 3-ton vehicle and
Thu Jun 14, 2018, 06:32 PM
Jun 2018

marry in some situations and places in the US, although the latter should be 18 I to avoid exploitation and abuse of women.
Nobody's calling for 6 years old to vote! The prefrontal cortex doesn't fully develop until about age 25 according to most experts.

https://www.thenation.com/article/about-half-of-us-states-set-no-minimum-age-for-marriage/

Bernardo de La Paz

(49,011 posts)
8. Just the kind of distraction the RepubliCons love. Debate this while they move behind the curtain.
Thu Jun 14, 2018, 02:57 PM
Jun 2018

Get everyone indignant on both sides while the Cons push through more ultra-Conservative judges and repeal more safety regulations and fatten the 1%.

bluevoter4life

(787 posts)
17. 26th amendment
Thu Jun 14, 2018, 09:33 PM
Jun 2018

Even if this does pass, the courts will strike it down. Michigan might be able to make a case and allow this for state-wide elections and not Presidential but ultimately I think the courts would not allow this.

truthisfreedom

(23,148 posts)
18. If they can die for their country at the end of a military weapon
Fri Jun 15, 2018, 06:00 AM
Jun 2018

in school, they should certainly be able to vote.,.:

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