The Patrick Henry Democratic Club Support Lowering the Voting Age

SUPPORT FOR LOWERING THE VOTING AGE EQUALS SUPPORT FOR:

Statistically, where the voting age has been lowered, 16 and 17 year olds vote in significantly higher percentages than 18 to 25 year olds.  18 is the worst age to start voting as it is an age of transition to college and jobs and the busy schedule encourages apathy and starts voters off with a pattern of not voting.

Over 350 Americans have died in Iraq for you before having their first chance to vote for President.  You owe an apology to their families and to the families of the next 350 to die for you without a vote for President– unless you have actively worked to give them that vote.

AMERICA AND TAXPAYER

Government services you receive are partially paid for with the earned money of laboring child taxpayers who have NO REPRESENTATION.  The cry of America’s founders was “NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.”

AMERICA’S YOUTH AND YOUR OWN CHILDREN

Nothing currently in the platform shows support for the youth of America.  It’s time to stop passing off parent’s issues as children’s issues.

ORGANIZED LABOR

Children belong to labor unions and vote in union elections.

FUNDAMENTAL FAIRNESS

Teenagers can be, and often are, tried as adults. They pass exams in government and normally have greater knowledge about government than the vast majority of adults.

 
THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 AND THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 established a SIXTH GRADE EDUCATION as legal proof of literacy.  The Voting Rights Act of 1965 and current U.S. Code both state that anyone who has completed a sixth grade education “possesses sufficient literacy, comprehension and intelligence to vote in any election.”

PAYING YOUR DEBTS (HUMAN DECENCY)

The 2003 California Democratic Party resolution that called for a paper trail and public ownership and oversight of voting software was written by two children (ages 11 and 13).  Children testified at the HAVA hearings in favor of a paper trail while adults testified against one.  Kevin Shelley listened to the children, and, as a result, you get that paper trail this year. Thank a youth by showing that you are as big of a person.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Walking out of school and marching on freeways and closing them down is currently the only way children can make their feelings known.  This method of voting has changed the debate in Congress. Ballot boxes are safer.  Children are able to fly an airplane solo and drive at 16, both of which are more complicated than a ballot.

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Last year, the California Democratic Party unanimously called for the voting age to be lowered.  The platform needs to reflect the will of the members of the Democratic Party.

Those of voting age gave us George W. Bush and Arnold Schwarzenegger.  The youth below 18 want leaders like Kucinich and Feingold.  Now, who deserves the vote and who has abused it?

THOSE WHO DO NOT SUPPORT LOWERING THE VOTING AGE DO NOT SUPPORT ANY OF THESE

Young Dems