Iowa To Lower Voting Age?
February 18th, 2007 at 11:31am Geraldine
Joe Bolkcom, the Democratic State Senator from Iowa City, recently introduced SF 104, which lower the voting age to 17 for school board elections. It would also lower the minimum age to register to vote to 17 from 17 1/2. Iowa has always had a law that anyone can register to vote within six months of turning 18, this extends that period for a year, which would make it easier for many young people to register.
A number of countries already allow young people to vote and lowering the voting age to 16 is part of the platform of major international political parties including the Social Democrats in Austria, the New Democratic Party in Canada and the Liberal Democrats in Great Britain. Bolkcom’s bill would only have an effect on the elections where young people have the most at stake, school board races. It helps remedy the absurdity that the people who don’t have a voice in how schools are run are the students. It’s a good progressive bill. Although it’s doubtful that it will pass, it’s worth sending an email to your State Senator about. If people start paying attention, it’s possible that the bill could gain some momentum. It would be an important step towards expanding political rights for young people.
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Entry Filed under: State Politics, Voting Rights
Related Searches: international political parties, school board elections, lowering the voting age, lower voting age, joe bolkcom
2 Comments Add your own
1. noneed4thneed | February 18th, 2007 at 11:41 am
I am not sure exactly what benefits this would have. I think it is safe to say most young people (18-22) probably vote for whomever their parents vote for. That was basically true for me until I was 24. If people think that lowering the age would make young people more interested in the voting process that would be good, but I find that correlation to be a little sketchy.
2. Maddy | February 27th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
The good thing about this bill is that teens are more likely to learn about voting in a non-partisan manner. School Board has no party affiliations. Students in high school are also learning about government. This bill allows them to practice what they are taught.
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