Feb. 4, 2021 By Christian Murray
Congresswoman Grace Meng has introduced legislation that aims to lower the voting age in the United States to 16 years old.
The measure seeks to replace the 26th amendment and permit 16 and 17-year olds to vote.
The amendment would require passage by two thirds of the House and Senate and then ratification by three-fourths of the nation’s state legislatures.
“Our young people, including 16-and 17-year-olds, continue to fight and advocate for so many issues that they are passionate about from guy safety to the climate crisis,” Meng said in a statement. “It’s time to give them a voice in our democracy by permitting them to be heard at the ballot box.”
Meng notes that 16 and 17-year olds are legally permitted to work and drive, and also pay federal income taxes.
The last time that the voting age was lowered was in 1971, when it went from 21 to 18.
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