The Independent View: D.C. Voting Age Bill

A Committee on Washington, D.C.'s heavily Democratic City Council Unanimously Approved a Bill to Lower the Voting Age in All Elections from 18 to 16.

The Bill will go to the Full Council on Nov. 13th, where it is expected to Pass.

If this Bill becomes Law, D.C. would become the First Major American City to Lower the Voting Age, and it would be the First Jurisdiction in the Country to do so for Federal Elections.

In 2013, Takoma Park, Maryland became the First American City to Lower the Voting Age in Local Elections, and a few others have followed suit, but no Major City has yet Joined them.

Lowering the Voting Age is an overlooked Tool in the Fight for Voting Rights, but it's an important one that could have a Major Impact if more Cities and States begin to Adopt it.

Setting the Voting Age at 16 could lead to Higher Turnout among those Voters as they grow Older, since Voting is a Habit-Forming Behavior. Many Teenagers move away from their Parents' Home when they first become Eligible to Vote at Age 18, and many often Don't Register and Cast a Ballot when they're busy dealing with Major Life Changes.

However, at age 16, most Teenagers still Live with their Parents, and a vigorous High School Civics Education could Lead to Higher Participation if these Teenagers are able to Register through their School and then Cast a Ballot.

Indeed, Austria lowered its Voting Age to 16 back in 2008 and found that 16- and 17-year-olds turned out at Higher Rates than 18- to 20-year-olds in subsequent Elections.

Several other Democracies like Brazil have also Lowered their Voting Age to 16.

By itself, D.C.’s move won't have much Political Impact, since the City is overwhelmingly Democratic and is Disenfranchised in Congressional Elections.

But if this Reform Spreads across the Country, it could enable a Wave of Young Citizens to make their Voices Count in the Future.

And the Timing couldn’t be more Apposite. Following the Horrific School Shooting in Parkland, Florida, we’ve seen a Surge in Activism from Teenagers Advocating for New Gun Safety Laws, even though they aren't yet Eligible to Vote. Just as Lowering the Voting Age from 21 to 18 helped End the Draft during the Vietnam War, setting it at 16 could help America finally enact Sensible Gun Laws that make our Schools Safer.