Voting age should be 25, not 18... wtf is up with CA's legislators?

[MadRat]

A California rep introduced a measure today to try to get 14-15 year olds a 1/4 vote and 16-17 year olds a 1/2 vote in future state and federal elections. If anything they need to make it harder to vote for some things, not easier. I'd have to say most people aren't mature enough to throw a vote at 18, let alone at 21. Voting is something we all take for granted, or largely take it for granted the right not to vote. (I've missed two elections due to severe strepp infections, but otherwise I'd never miss one!) We hardly have 45% turnout as it is, and they want to make it more like 35% I would guess by the person's idea. Keeping the votes focused on the people who actually participate makes more sense than this CA measure.

 

[ElFenix]

i don't see how they can change the voting age for federal elections. but if they want to do it for state elections, why not?

 

[CWRMadcat]

Originally posted by: MadRat
A California rep introduced a measure today to try to get 14-15 year olds a 1/4 vote and 16-17 year olds a 1/2 vote in future state and federal elections. If anything they need to make it harder to vote for some things, not easier. I'd have to say most people aren't mature enough to throw a vote at 18, let alone at 21. Voting is something we all take for granted, or largely take it for granted the right not to vote. (I've missed two elections due to severe strepp infections, but otherwise I'd never miss one!) We hardly have 45% turnout as it is, and they want to make it more like 35% I would guess by the person's idea. Keeping the votes focused on the people who actually participate makes more sense than this CA measure.

I don't think it's maturity that leads to lower turnouts as it is a general feeling among younger folks that politicians don't reach out to them very much.

 

[Zorba]

I know many young people don't vote because the hate all of the people running. I don't vote in the lesser elections because I am at school and don't get the paper from back home so I don't know when they are. When I do know about them I file for an absontee (sp?) ballot and vote. Plus, I know a couple of 15 year-olds who know more about current events than many of the 40+ year-olds I know. Perhaps we should let anyone vote, as long as the can pass a news/history/government test.

 

[PELarson]

Nah.. raze it to 50 years old and if you haven't voted in the last 3 elections before you reach the age of 50 you are automatically ineligible to vote until you have voted in 4 elections in a row.

 

[Martin]

I say we abolish this silly notion at all.

 

[Moonbeam]

Our political sturcture is such that anybody worth voting for will never get on the ballot.

 

[alphatarget1]

it's nuts
im suspecting a democrat introduced this measure. the only reason they'd want that is because most kids are liberals

 

[MadRat]

Calif. Lawmakers Propose Voting Age of 14

By JIM WASSERMAN
Associated Press Writer

March 8, 2004, 9:55 PM EST

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A proposed amendment to California's constitution would give 16-year-olds a half-vote and 14-year-olds a quarter-vote in state elections.

State Sen. John Vasconcellos, among four lawmakers to propose the idea on Monday, said the Internet, cellular phones, multichannel television and a diverse society makes today's teens better informed than their predecessors.

The idea requires two-thirds approval by the Legislature to appear on the November ballot.

"When we gave the vote to those who didn't own property, then to women, then to persons of all colors, we added to the richness of our democratic dialogue and our own nation's integrity and its model for the world," Vasconcellos said, calling it time to further extend the vote.

A Republican colleague said it was "the nuttiest idea I've ever heard."

Said Assemblyman Ray Haynes: "There's a reason why 14-year-olds and 16-year-olds don't vote. They are not adults. They are not mature enough. They are easily deceived by political charlatans."

Student supporters said the idea could give them a say in issues such as education funding and bring new voices to the California electorate.

"If we could vote, politicians would see us as votes, not just kids, and they would take our issues seriously," said Robert Reynolds, a student at Berkeley High School.

Copyright © 2004, The Associated Press

 

[Spencer278]

I think it is only fair that if the govemerment is going to pass laws that only effect the population under the age of 21, 18, or 16 then that population should have the chance to vote.

 

[Nitemare]

I would support a legislation that required voters to be informed rather than voting for just a name or because someone belongs to a certain party.

One should the uninformed vote from a fry cooker at McDonald's whose political views are garnered from musicians at concerts count the same as some one who reads the papers every day and is in touch with what is going on.

Either that or weight votes.

 

[Moonbeam]

If you are old enough to be taxed you should be able to vote. I like the part about, "They are easily deceived by political charlatans." Haha, I'm too young to fall for that.

 

[onelove]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
If you are old enough to be taxed you should be able to vote.

exxxactly. (or else they should have the right to toss the tea in the harbor...)

 

[SuperTool]

Originally posted by: Nitemare
I would support a legislation that required voters to be informed rather than voting for just a name or because someone belongs to a certain party.

One should the uninformed vote from a fry cooker at McDonald's whose political views are garnered from musicians at concerts count the same as some one who reads the papers every day and is in touch with what is going on.

Either that or weight votes.

Why should your vote count the same as one from a non-elitist?

 

[LadyJessica]

I think the idea that once you turn 18, you're a full-fledged adult is ridiculous. We should have a standardized way of imparting "adulthood" on young people. Perhaps something along the lines of some test that most people should be able to pass by the time they're 18. Some people will pass it earlier and some later.

 

[Lonyo]

Long term issues are likely to affect someone aged 16 quite a bit more than someone aged 75.
Maybe there should be a maximum age as well.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: MadRat
Calif. Lawmakers Propose Voting Age of 14

By JIM WASSERMAN
Associated Press Writer

March 8, 2004, 9:55 PM EST

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A proposed amendment to California's constitution would give 16-year-olds a half-vote and 14-year-olds a quarter-vote in state elections.

State Sen. John Vasconcellos, among four lawmakers to propose the idea on Monday, said the Internet, cellular phones, multichannel television and a diverse society makes today's teens better informed than their predecessors.

The idea requires two-thirds approval by the Legislature to appear on the November ballot.

"When we gave the vote to those who didn't own property, then to women, then to persons of all colors, we added to the richness of our democratic dialogue and our own nation's integrity and its model for the world," Vasconcellos said, calling it time to further extend the vote.

A Republican colleague said it was "the nuttiest idea I've ever heard."

Said Assemblyman Ray Haynes: "There's a reason why 14-year-olds and 16-year-olds don't vote. They are not adults. They are not mature enough. They are easily deceived by political charlatans."

Student supporters said the idea could give them a say in issues such as education funding and bring new voices to the California electorate.

"If we could vote, politicians would see us as votes, not just kids, and they would take our issues seriously," said Robert Reynolds, a student at Berkeley High School.

Copyright © 2004, The Associated Press

Definitely a Democrat based on the mere fact that the media did not list him so. Media outfits always conveniently leave off the party affiliation of Dems when one of them introduces some new wacky legislation.

 

[Red Dawn]

This doesn't stand a chance of passing in Democrat Controlled California.

 

[PELarson]

Originally posted by: CPA
Definitely a Democrat based on the mere fact that the media did not list him so. Media outfits always conveniently leave off the party affiliation of Dems when one of them introduces some new wacky legislation.

If he is then the California Republican party is providing his website. Nice of them!

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: Nitemare
I would support a legislation that required voters to be informed rather than voting for just a name or because someone belongs to a certain party.

One should the uninformed vote from a fry cooker at McDonald's whose political views are garnered from musicians at concerts count the same as some one who reads the papers every day and is in touch with what is going on.

Either that or weight votes.

Why should your vote count the same as one from a non-elitist?

You're going under the knife for some surgery, would you rather someone fresh from med school do it or a seasoned veteran?

You're sending your kids to school on the school bus, would you rather have an 18 y/o drop out drive them or an assistant teacher who has been driving for 10+ years?

You're electing the leader of the free world, would you rather it be by uninformed and ignorant people or people who know the world that they live in?

Just a preference, that's all

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: PELarson

Originally posted by: CPA
Definitely a Democrat based on the mere fact that the media did not list him so. Media outfits always conveniently leave off the party affiliation of Dems when one of them introduces some new wacky legislation.

If he is then the California Republican party is providing his website. Nice of them!

Huh? I'm talking about Vasconcellos, not Haynes. Vasconcellos is suggesting this wacky legislation, and he is definitely a Dem.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
If you are old enough to be taxed you should be able to vote. I like the part about, "They are easily deceived by political charlatans." Haha, I'm too young to fall for that.

Eh... well anyone is old enough to be taxed if they have money to spend at a store... but I assume you were talking about income taxes. I don't really agree though - just because you're old enough to get a job, that doesn't mean you're capable of making a mature (and hopefully informed) decision in an election. Thinking back to when I was 14, the issues I thought were the most important are pretty insignificant in retrospect.

On the other hand though, I don't think the majority of people over 18 are capable of making an intelligent (and hopefully informed) decision in an election either. I think the uninformed 14-17 year olds will do the same thing that many uninformed 18+ year olds do - not vote. So really it shouldn't make any difference if they let them vote.

I really don't think it'll pass though, especially since they're only counted as 1/4 or 1/2 of a vote. That just sounds wrong.

As for them being easily deceived by political charlatans... you're probably right, but it amazes me how much influence the news media has on people. I saw a comedian talking about the Dean fiasco recently, and he echoed what I've been saying all along. His screaming speech would have never had any effect on people's votes if the news media hadn't pounded into our heads that it was a political disaster.

Originally posted by: ElFenix
i don't see how they can change the voting age for federal elections. but if they want to do it for state elections, why not?

Voting age has always been set by the states afaik. The 26th amendment guarantees citizens 18 and older the right to vote, but it does not prohibit younger people from voting.

 

[Piano Man]

If you are old enough to die for your country, then you are sure as hell old enough to vote. Nuff said.

 

[chowderhead]

Originally posted by: mugsywwiii


I really don't think it'll pass though, especially since they're only counted as 1/4 or 1/2 of a vote. That just sounds wrong.

As for them being easily deceived by political charlatans... you're probably right, but it amazes me how much influence the news media has on people. I saw a comedian talking about the Dean fiasco recently, and he echoed what I've been saying all along. His screaming speech would have never had any effect on people's votes if the news media hadn't pounded into our heads that it was a political disaster.

[/i]

I don't like the idea of 1/2 votes or quarter votes ... WTF are they 1/2, 1/4 human? Every vote should count the same. Though I strongly encourage parents to bring their children to the polls and teach them how voting works and why it is important to vote, I have mixed feelings about allowing children the right to cast valid votes. On one hand, if children can be tried as adults for crimes, then they should be allowed some of the rights as adults i.e. voting on sentencing guidelines - 3 strikes, etc. On the other hand, can a random 14 year vote on some of these complex issues, trivializing the electoral process? A get out the vote rally for Britney Spears for Sec of State?
I personally don't think many 14-16 will be voting but I still am conflicted about it.

Regarding Dean ... people want to rewrite history and blame the media for his downfall. But when Dean gave that speach in Iowa, he had ALREADY finished a distant THIRD. His campaign spent 40 million dollars and only won his home state of Vermont. He peaked too soon, the others attacked him and he failed to respond properly as a candidate and ran a poor campaign. He brought a lot to the table and changed how fundraising can be done but as a candidate, he was a poor one.

 

[daniel1113]

Originally posted by: Piano Man
If you are old enough to die for your country, then you are sure as hell old enough to vote. Nuff said.

Not to mention drink, but that is an issue for another day.