In many states, 16-year-olds like Cami can do some very adult things: drive a car, get a job, and even get married. But they can’t vote until they’re 18.
Now a group of teenagers is trying to change that. They’ve joined together to support a project called Vote16USA. Their goal is to get the voting age lowered to 16 in local elections. Why?
Many teens with jobs pay taxes, which the government uses to pay for things like schools and roads. This money is taken out of teens’ paychecks. Shouldn’t teens be able to vote for the people who decide how taxes are used?
Some adults say no. They argue that lowering the voting age is pointless, because young people don’t care enough to show up and vote.
But the teens of Takoma Park, Maryland, have already proved them wrong. In 2013, this city lowered the voting age for local elections to 16. Since then, more 16- and 17-year-olds have voted than any other age group.