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Jonathan Bernstein

Should 16-Year-Olds Get to Vote? Absolutely.

A once-fringe idea is creeping into mainstream politics. Democracy will only benefit.

Early and often? — Early and often?
Photographer: Adam Berry/Getty Images

By

Jonathan Bernstein

March 8, 2019, 11:41 AM UTC

I’ve been writing about the benefits of a lower voting age for years, but I always thought it was a theoretical question. No longer. On Thursday, the House actually held a vote on reducing the minimum age for federal elections, to 16 from 18. Although it didn’t come close to winning, a slim majority of House Democrats (and a lone Republican) went on record in support of the change.

Wow.