Research suggests that lowering the voting age can improve voter turnout, spur civic engagement, and encourage effective civic education. So on February 18th, 2019 we proposed The Our Future Our Vote Act, which sought to change the Oregon constitution to allow 16 year-olds to vote. While it failed during that legislative session we are continuing to work with Vote16 USA, and also doing culture shift work and engaging our communities in dialogue around this important voting rights issue.

“Sixteen year olds have to take civics classes in Oregon so it makes sense that while you’re learning about the government you’re simultaneously participating in it. Sixteen year olds will also make lifelong voters. It can be a family situation where you have the entire family talking about policies while learning about the history of your government.”

“If I can be tried like an adult, why can’t I vote like an adult? I pay income tax like an adult, I drive like an adult, I can be tried and sentenced as an adult… Why isn’t my voice important enough until I turn 18?”

“During my time in high school, I’ve learned about the importance of grassroots organizing. I’ve been a volunteer on numerous statewide and local campaigns and during the 2018 general election I was worked as a staff member for Congressman Peter DeFazio’s campaign. I also ran a county-wide advocacy organization, focused on empowering youth voices, all while being ineligible to vote.”

“Together we’re fighting for a better future. We need to be able to take our work to the ballot and protect the policies we’re working so hard to pass, and we deserve to have a voice.”

Two Maryland cities have successfully extended municipal voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds. In 2013, Takoma Park 16- and 17-year-olds voted at twice the rate of voters 18 and older. Residents also support the measure: In an exit poll of an April 2014 Takoma Park special election, 72% of participants supported keeping voting rights for 16- and 17-year-olds in city elections. In 2016, San Francisco came close to passing a similar measure, Proposition F, which would have lowered the voting age to sixteen for all local elections. It came close with 48% in support of the proposition. Austria, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, and the United Kingdom have extended voting rights to 16-year-olds for national, regional, or local elections.