Oregon lawmakers seek to lower voting age in state to 16, so teens can ‘protect their future’

[Madmallard]

Children are our future -- and a group of Oregon lawmakers wants the future to be now.

They’re pushing a bill that would amend Oregon’s constitution to lower the voting age in the state from 18 to 16. They hope to put it before voters in 2020.

Younger Oregonians should have “a chance to participate in the ballot -- about decisions that affect their homes, their clean air, their future, their schools and, as we’ve seen, their very lives,” Democratic state Sen. Shemia Fagan said at a Monday press conference announcing the measure.

Oregon lawmakers seek to lower voting age in state to 16, so teens can ‘protect their future’

 

[1911guy]

What could go wrong?

 

[Steal2B]

What could go wrong?

 

[Bob]

They can already 'protect their future' at age 17.
By enlisting.

Oh wait, that's not what they meant.

 

[Blimey]

Bad idea.

But I think most people shouldn't be voting.

 

[SomeSoldier]

I think the lawmakers need to watch or read "Lord of the Flies."

 

[Steal2B]

Bad idea.

But I think most people shouldn't be voting.

Like other constitutionally guaranteed rights ...Voter registration should include a paid detailed life history application, paid for fingerprinting, proof of identity / citizenship, an interview by a judge, four notarized unrelated references, a voter needs to demonstrate to a judge for approval which elections they absolutely need to vote, a background check by County/ State / Federal authorities, a form you must fill out to keep your vote secret, a paid for voter safety course, paid for live poll ballot training, a semi-secret red flag anonymous denial process, a 3 year check of social media, a 1 year check of search engine queries, demonstrate a need for a private concealed ballot vs an open roll call vote, a NICS check each time you show up to vote, a poll tax each time you elect to vote, no voting allowed in schools or goverment buildings, a voting permit card bearing a photo to be shown when you vote / campaign / contribute, regulation requiring politics be safely secured away from minors, a five year recertification process, and the age to vote needs to be raised to 21.

 

[livingston]

I think the lawmakers need to watch or read "Lord of the Flies."

Doubt they ever heard of the book
Why is 'Lord of the Flies' Challenged and Banned
"Lord of the Flies," a 1954 novel by William Golding, has been banned from schools over the years and has also often been challenged. According to the American Library Association, it is the eighth-most frequently banned and challenged book in the nation. Parents, school administrators and other critics have decried the language and violence in the novel. Bullying is rampant throughout the book—indeed, it is one of the main plot lines. Many people also think that the book promotes a pro-slavery ideology, which they note is the wrong message to teach children.
Why Does Lord of the Flies Continue to Get Banned in Schools?

 

[Jmac]

pretty amazing since under 18 you are a juvenile cannot sign anything only with a guardian. Democratic seem to get stupid everyday what assholes

 

[Blimey]

Like other constitutionally guaranteed rights ...Voter registration should include a paid detailed life history application, paid for fingerprinting, proof of identity / citizenship, an interview by a judge, four notarized unrelated references, a voter needs to demonstrate to a judge for approval which elections they absolutely need to vote, a background check by County/ State / Federal authorities, a form you must fill out to keep your vote secret, a paid for voter safety course, paid for live poll ballot training, a semi-secret red flag anonymous denial process, a 3 year check of social media, a 1 year check of search engine queries, demonstrate a need for a private concealed ballot vs an open roll call vote, a NICS check each time you show up to vote, a poll tax each time you elect to vote, no voting allowed in schools or goverment buildings, a voting permit card bearing a photo to be shown when you vote / campaign / contribute, regulation requiring politics be safely secured away from minors, a five year recertification process, and the age to vote needs to be raised to 21.

Well I've long thought and sometimes said that this country--all countries--are not benefited by the demonstrably ignorant expressing themselves, whether by vote or any other means.

The constitution guarantees an 18 year old who cannot even spell and is uneducated and basically brain dead can vote. I don't see how that person's vote is making everybody else better.

The age is in fact a bit arbitrary. There are certainly 15 year olds who are politically more savvy and wise than many 30 year olds.

 

[Blimey]

Doubt they ever heard of the book
Why is 'Lord of the Flies' Challenged and Banned
"Lord of the Flies," a 1954 novel by William Golding, has been banned from schools over the years and has also often been challenged. According to the American Library Association, it is the eighth-most frequently banned and challenged book in the nation. Parents, school administrators and other critics have decried the language and violence in the novel. Bullying is rampant throughout the book—indeed, it is one of the main plot lines. Many people also think that the book promotes a pro-slavery ideology, which they note is the wrong message to teach children.
Why Does Lord of the Flies Continue to Get Banned in Schools?

One of the few books that ever left an impression on me. The main one being that humans are not many steps removed from animals and that society is a thin veneer over our violent tribalism, which always simmers beneath.

 

[Phauxtoe]

let me guess, so their Lesbian two moms can have more votes to pass their lgbq-eieio agendas

 

[Paxal]

pretty amazing since under 18 you are a juvenile cannot sign anything only with a guardian. Democratic seem to get stupid everyday what assholes

Why is it that it’s always the same people proposing the stupid destructive ideas?

 

[speedkills27]

meanwhile they want to raise the legal age on everything else to 21

 

[Apeman]

meanwhile they want to raise the legal age on everything else to 21

If they lower the voting age there will be more brainwashed kids that will vote against gun rights. Then even if you still have any rights left in their state you can't exercise them until you're 21

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

16 year olds make great decisions at that age. Sure, why not? They only know what's going in based on what their phones tell them anyway.

 

[spat]

pretty amazing since under 18 you are a juvenile cannot sign anything only with a guardian. Democratic seem to get stupid everyday what assholes

They're not stupid. They would try to extend voting rights to reptiles if they polled Democrat.

 

[HIghlander]

Yet they can't drink until 21 there, They don't trust them to drink responsibly but they can vote. Morons!

 

[ProgSpear]

Like other constitutionally guaranteed rights ...Voter registration should include a paid detailed life history application, paid for fingerprinting, proof of identity / citizenship, an interview by a judge, four notarized unrelated references, a voter needs to demonstrate to a judge for approval which elections they absolutely need to vote, a background check by County/ State / Federal authorities, a form you must fill out to keep your vote secret, a paid for voter safety course, paid for live poll ballot training, a semi-secret red flag anonymous denial process, a 3 year check of social media, a 1 year check of search engine queries, demonstrate a need for a private concealed ballot vs an open roll call vote, a NICS check each time you show up to vote, a poll tax each time you elect to vote, no voting allowed in schools or goverment buildings, a voting permit card bearing a photo to be shown when you vote / campaign / contribute, regulation requiring politics be safely secured away from minors, a five year recertification process, and the age to vote needs to be raised to 21.

I think the model Robert A. Heinlein proposed in "Starship Troopers" would suffice. Granted, it was proposed 60 years ago, but some ideas get better with age.