The plan to reduce the voting age in the United States, backed by remaining- leaning groups, including those linked to billionaire George Soros financing the movement, has now resulted in 16- and 17- year- olds casting votes in Brattleboro, Vermont, on Super Tuesday this month.
The business Vote16USA. Generation Citizen, a party funded by liberal donors with deep pockets, is supporting the plan .org. Donors include the Soros- linked party, the Jennifer and Jonathan Allan Soros Foundation, the Bezos Family Foundation, The New York City Council, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, according to the group’s 2023 monthly statement.
FairVote, which is also funded by Soros parties and other kept- leaning businesses, is likewise pushing to reduce the legal election time.
While progressive groups think 16 and 17-year-olds should be able to cast a vote in local elections, study shows that many young people are underrepresented in politics and dealing with mental health issues.
Youth voters between the ages of 18 and 34 were the target of the poll, who found they were incredibly likely to vote for Democratic candidates. It’s unclear whether that is the result of that or the influence of parents or teachers.
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Vote16USA has made significant strides in lowering the voting age in several years, not just in Brattleboro, despite the voting habits of the youth and their lack of knowledge on issues. Currently, five cities/towns in Maryland passed similar measures, with the small town of Cheverly approving a charter amendment in January.
In Oakland, California, students who are 16 are now allowed to vote in school board elections. Vote16USA touts several active campaigns underway in other states and cities including in Michigan, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Illinois, Washington D. C., Hawaii, and three cities in California.
In addition, federal legislation was introduced by Rep. Grace Meng ( D- N. Y. ) to lower the voting age to 16
The City Council of Newark in New Jersey’s largest city unanimously approved an ordinance last month that would allow 16 and 17-year-olds to cast ballots in local school board elections. Two students took the lead with Vote16USA’s guidance.
Democratic Governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy, who signed a law allowing 17- year- olds to vote in a primary if they will be 18 by the election, is poised to pass a voting rights bill.
In his most recent State of the State address, Mr. Murphy stated that he is willing to lower the statewide voting age to 16 and 17 and thanked the two young leaders who were present during his speech who are connected to Vote16USA and who launched the state website.
Additionally, Mr. Murphy thanked state Senator Brian Stack for backing Bill S4173, which would lower the state’s voting age. Mr. Stack did not respond to several requests for comment, nor did several other Democrat lawmakers. The State of the State Speech was quoted from Mr. Murphy’s office in a response to a request for comment.
However, three of the New Jersey’s lawmakers who spoke with them explained why they opposed allowing minors to vote.
Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger ( R- Middletown ), when asked if he favored lowering the voting age, told The Epoch Times, “absolutely 100 percent not. Simply put, 16- and 17- year- olds do n’t pay property taxes, have very little to no knowledge of complex issues. They lack the experience to cast an informed vote.
” It’s frightening to think you would entrust someone who is not quite ready in their mid- teens to make such serious decisions like that,” Mr. Scharfenberger said, adding that” voting is a very important, complex duty… at that age, I do n’t think they are ready to make an informed vote.
State Sen. Declan O’Scanlon ( R- Little Silver ) echoed the assemblyman’s view, saying he is against lowering the voting age. A “maturity level that turns turns at 18 and 21 years old,” he told the Epoch Times. I do n’t think they are at that level”.
Mr. O’Scanlon added those aged 16 and 17 are not taxpayers. ” Representation without taxation—they do n’t pay any taxes”. He claimed that they might have an impact on a number of issues, including “passing budgets on people who do pay taxes”. He added that children of that age would be greatly affected by parents and would not be seen as independent voters.
Mr. Scharfenberger, who taught at the college level for 25 years, claimed that his interactions with the young students showed that they were only partially versed in politics and issues. Many times, they lacked the knowledge needed to make an informed decision. His experience is in line with the findings of the Tufts poll.
There is more to it than just saying” the other states that are doing this,” he said. We should n’t interfere with this and act for the unimportant reason of gaining more votes.
According to Pew Research, the youngest Americans tend to vote for Democrats. According to their research, age is strongly related to voting preference in elections. Nearly 7 in 10 voters under 30 (68 percent ) supported Democrat candidates in 2022, much higher than older voters.
Both Mr. Scharfenberger and Mr. O’Scanlon questioned the rationale behind lowering the voting age, suggesting that the aim could be to influence young voters to choose which party to support. They threatened to reject the bill if it was introduced.
State Sen. Vin Gopal ( D- Monmouth ) also said he opposes lowering the voting age in the state, and he emphasized that the age of 18 is when adulthood is recognized.
” The age of 18 is when youth become adults, and that’s when voting is”, Mr. Gopal told The Epoch Times, adding that the focus should be on getting 18- and 19- year- olds out to vote. He added that “it will cause a lot of confusion, to say they can vote in one election and not another”. He questioned how the voting process would even operate and whether there would be various ballots. ” I do n’t know how practical it is”.
While Mr. Gopal claimed that the governor and other state lawmakers support lowering the voting age, he would say no if a vote was held.
Prior to the Murphy administration, the question of whether New Jersey students had knowledge of civics, which is the study of how the government operates and the rights of citizens. After realizing the lack of instruction in middle school, the governor passed Laura Wooten’s Law, which required a civics course for graduates. The requirement began in the 2022–23 school year as a result of the legislation.
New Jersey is not the only state with low civics scores for students. Nationwide, the latest available Nation’s Report Card showed a majority of students flunking civics and U. S. History. On the history assessment, average scores for eighth graders have declined five points, with only 13 percent of eighth graders scoring at or above proficient and 40 percent of students scoring below basic proficiency between 2018 and 2022.
Only 22 percent of eighth graders ‘ civics proficiency scores were above proficient level, and 31 percent of those scores were below basic. These students are unable to explain the structure and function of government because their civics scores are below the minimum required.
When they were tested in 2022, these eighth-graders were 13 to 14 years old and now have the right to vote thanks to Vote16USA.
” Why 16? Why not 11? Where does it stop? It’s a legitimate question”, Mr. O’Scanlon asked. He said it does not surprise him that “left- leaning organizations” are in favor of this, as he believes” they feel they can influence the youth”.
