What do you think the legal age to vote in the US should be?

winterpixie_13

I think that we are ok with 18. In fact I am surprised that it isn't 21.

John L

i don't know. I do know that the average 18 year old doesn't know anything about politics and probably couldn't even tell you the difference between Republicans and Democrats.

Bella Latina

I think people should have to take a test to see if they even really know whats going on in our country/ the world and how our government works before they are allowed to vote. Age shouldn't be a factor. There are so many people well above the age requirement that are clueless.

mcdannells

25-30
This is when kids appear to grow up and have a clue as to what it is all about....

TyranusXX

PLEASE!! Most 18 year olds hardly have a clue and you want a 16 year old to vote!!

18 is about right....

brad_sr0138

you bring up a very valid argument. I'll agree and say if you are old enough to pay taxes then you should be old enough to vote.... and along with that, you should be allowed to drink as well. If I were to make the rules, i would say that 18 should be the age for all of it... taxes, voting, and drinking.

angel_rae_23

Some 16 year olds aren't mature enough to vote yet. I think 18 is a perfect age because by then you should be fully equipped to vote based on everything you've learned throughout your life. At 16, you really don't quite understand what your voting for, maybe a better economy, or health care, or housing info, and you maybe voting on what suits you best, when there are other things that affect older people harder than it would affect you. The age won't change, and I'm sorry if you are one of the few smart teenagers that understands politics! I hope i helped!

Halo V

I'm fine with 18, I'm not sure if very many 16 year olds are mature enough to take on the task of voting.

Joe R

I don't have an issue with the age it is now.
My issue is that you should pass a simple test before you can vote.
Simple questions like,
Who are your Senators?
Who is the Sec. of State?

It could even be multiple guess to make it easier.

Brian B

I think that the idea of a set age at which one is allowed to vote is ridiculous. Therefore, I would like it if the legal voting age was abolished entirely. Instead, one should have to pass a test in order to demonstrate that they are informed enough so that consideration of their opinion can be considered constructive to society.
You cannot claim that all 18 year olds are equally well-informed about politics, for example. The only argument for having a legal age limit is that the law must be as objective as possible (i.e. it is legally undesirable to make subjective judgements on one's maturity). This is why the idea of the test seems suitable. Attempting to set an age limit would exclude some people whose votes would be useful, and include others who don't know anything about politics. If your society is democratic, then it is, in my opinion, untenable to simply accept that some people with the capacity to vote will have to wait perhaps a decade before they are allowed to contribute.
Finally, the technology certainly exists to allow the system to be restructured in such a way that all voting is done electronically. You can take some sort of multiple-choice test with randomized questions, and the computer will give you a code allowing you to vote if you pass. This electronic system would prevent another incident of the type that got Bush into office (failure to puncture a hole on a piece of paper - read about it if you're interested).

jenndy

18, because then you're a legal adult. I think it should actually be higher like 21 because I don't think normal 18 year olds are educated enough about the world (including me) but.. 2/3 of the nation doesn't vote, so if an 18 year old wants to vote I figure they care enough about the nation and know well what is going on. Plus at 18 you can go into war and live on your own..paying your owns bills and all. I think that makes the difference between 16 and 18.

kat.

18. If you're considered an adult, you should be able to vote.

kenbgray

I think it just fine the way it is.

Mad Jack

Nothing wrong with where it is. 18 when you are legally considered an adult.

jackie

Well I think 18 lacks life experience to make a major political decision ...

Most 18 yr. olds are not that concerned about how much the govt. really impacts their lives ... some young people might be mature beyond their years

You can have alot of thoughtless young voters who vote for a certain candidate because it's 'cool' to do so.

I hope 18 years olds really think about who they vote for before they take action !

Camille N

danielle timm

i agree with Latin lov to some extent as I'm 21 and don't pay enough attention to politics to be able to make such a serious decision. i also feel if you are a felon or born in the us you should not have a say. i don't necessarily feel you need to serve your country as not all people are meant to do that but i think 25 is a reasonable age

No offence

SB1976

21 unless you are in the military, then you should be able to vote AND buy a beer if you want too.

CaseBasket

I think you are onto something. If you can drive, even buy products (thus pay taxes) and go to war or be tried as an adult for adult crimes, than whatever age that is in your state is probably the age to vote.

if someone can put me to war, then I should vote. If someone can take my paycheck and allocate it to war or football stadiums and I don't believe that, then I should vote.

You if you are younger, can at least encourage those around you to vote who are of age or who are ambivalent, these can be elders, young apathetic types or even people in their 20-60 year old range.

Lilly D

I agree with you. It should be 16.
Even though we're not considered adults yet, we still should have a say in how our government is going to be for the next four years.

macdonjo3

17+

model breezy

i think 18 because that is usually the age of everything

C V

I'm not sure our votes really count, so it may be a moot point. However, if you're old enough to make legally-binding contracts, be drafted, and be executed, you should be allowed to vote. Currently, that age is 18.

love sux

@16 you get the money back at the end of the year i think 18 but i think that they should teach all ages about polotics bc when i was 18 i didnt no anything about voting

*Edward Cullen*

18 so atleast u already graduated highschool and educated.

Honey

20... Many teenagers don't know crap about politics. Voting is a BIG responsibility and takes a lot of knowledge and thought. Teens shouldn't vote one way because their parents have brainwashed them into one side or because they think one guy looks better than the other. However, there are some teens who really are interested, but too bad because the number that doesn't outweighs it.

~sweetheartâ™¥~

18, cuz its the age for young adults. I think that any younger would be a mistake cuz some 16 yr olds aren't that educated in Politics yet cuz we learn about that kind of stuff in Senior Yr of school in Government/Economics class

horris999

There should just be a test, checking that you know what each side actually wants.

Chuck T

I <3 Shoes

18, any younger than that you are too swayed by your parents (not everyone, but most). It would be giving extra votes to people with kids ages 16 & 17.

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