San Francisco may soon allow 16-year-olds to vote in local elections

[BUtterfield 8 41,818]

San Francisco residents will be casting ballots in November to determine not just who should be in the White House, but if the city should be allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local elections.

A similar measure introduced in 2016 narrowly failed with 48 percent of the vote, but local activists and organizers are confident that it will pass this time.

“I really think that Vote 16 will help youth of color in San Francisco establish the habit of voting at an earlier age, and really provide them with the support and the resources that they need to continue building on that habit as they grow older,” said Crystal Chan, an 18-year old organizer for Vote 16 SF who fought to get the measure on the ballot.

If the proposition passes, San Francisco would become the first major American city to give 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in municipal elections. But the question remains: what would be improved by lowering the voting age by just two years?

“Research is clear on this, that voting is a habit. And 16 is a better time than 18 to establish that habit,” Brandon Klugman, Vote 16's campaign manager, told NBC News. “Our motivation here first and foremost is to make sure that we put new voters in a position to establish that habit in the first election they're eligible for, and then to continue participating throughout their lives which is good for democracy on every level.”

While this debate is getting renewed attention, some cities have allowed people as young as 16 to vote in local elections for years — like Takoma Park, Maryland, where city officials say they’ve seen positive results since its implementation in 2013, pointing to increased youth engagement and higher turnout.

“I hear from a lot of people around the country who are interested, a lot of young people but also people who are not young, who are interested in adopting this in their communities,” said Jessie Carpenter, a Takoma Park city clerk.

At the federal level, lowering the voting age has not picked up the same traction, but the initiative does have some bipartisan support in the halls of Congress.

Congresswoman Grace Meng, D-NY, has long advocated for the issue and introduced a constitutional amendment in 2018 to lower the voting age nationwide to 16.

“I’m always inspired by our nation’s youth who have demonstrated wisdom, maturity and passion on issues like social justice, gun control, and climate change," Meng said in a statement. "They are the leaders of our future and the decisions we make impact their lives every day. To capture their views and experiences, we must lower the voting age to 16 in all elections."

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/major-american-city-may-soon-allow-16-year-olds-vote-n1239955?cid=sm_npd_ms_fb_ma&fbclid=IwAR3E_K8VJvFixgeiVTo7UlknMIcs2qJ_Z5anwdEmwHUgdH1kDP4SjeSBBz0

[NFRatwell 23,290]

16 year olds shouldn’t be burdened with voting and politics, especially not when they’re still a sophomore in high school just learning how to drive.  What are we gonna do next, have them sign up for the draft at 16 too? I know this would help boost liberal values but something isn't right to me. 

[Bubblegum Bitch 18,934]

Leftists try to get more votes from youth?  

[Queen Bitch 10,513]

Madness. 

"They are the leaders of our future and the decisions we make impact their lives every day. To capture their views and experiences, we must lower the voting age to 16 in all elections."

The same goes for 12 year olds

As my former teacher once said "do you know why I don't think 16 year olds should even be considered to be allowed to vote? Because I worked with 16 year olds, I know how mature they are":

[Economy 52,861]

I don't think the average 16 year old knows enough to be voting. They tend to often think very one way still that they are taught either by parents or school and often don't look at all the big pictures or all the variables at play

 

The same can be said about many adults but with 16 year olds u see it even more. Not convinced this is a good idea

[FentyGa 14,340]

HAAAY WE LOVE TO SEE IT

the age should be 16-60

[MJHolland 12,725]

I mean, if a 16 year old cares enough to vote in a local election, they're probably really engaged and informed. 

I used to volunteer at polling places at 16 so I see nothing wrong with this. I was basically the same person from 16-18 lol. 

[Musicisfreedom 5,837]

This isn't a good idea. My younger sister is definitely intelligent enough (she often educates the rest of us on certain political topics), but she is in the minority. Teenagers still have a very reckless and selfish mind. And they often don't really believe in anything strongly yet, but follow by influence of those around them. From a former teenager, DON'T ALLOW IT.

[TheAlexer 1,343]

This fanbases age is coming through in these replies 

[iAstroLeo 14,452]

6 minutes ago, MJHolland said:

I mean, if a 16 year old cares enough to vote in a local election, they're probably really engaged and informed. 

I used to volunteer at polling places at 16 so I see nothing wrong with this. I was basically the same person from 16-18 lol. 

Not necessarily.. they might be forced by their parents or some other relative 

[Stanley Digaga 975]

I don't think that's a good idea. Too much 16 year olds don't care about politics / don't understand it / don't have enough knowledge about it.

I personally wasn't sure i wanted to vote at 18 because I didn't know much about politics. Ultimately I got interested in it and decided to vote but not everyone will do this effort ;  i wouldn't have voted at 16.

[elijahfan 27,484]

19 minutes ago, Queen Bitch said:

As my former teacher once said "do you know why I don't think 16 year olds should even be considered to be allowed to vote? Because I worked with 16 year olds, I know how mature they are":

Would you say that America has a mature 74 year-old President?

[Queen Bitch 10,513]

6 minutes ago, elijahfan said:

Would you say that America has a mature 74 year-old President?

No

[Regina George 59,387]

16 is not the age where people are thinking smart.. Heck even 18 isn’t in MANY cases but 16 is just a no. I don’t think this is a good idea at all. The “they are our future” argument is stupid because 10 year olds are our future too but we don’t allow them to make such a huge decisions. At this day and age 16 year olds will take it as a joke and vote for some TikTok celebrity or whatever is trendy at the time. 

[Cookie Tookie 10,546]

It’s a no from me