17-year-old primary election voting

[Meeker]

I've managed to convince my State Representative to introduce this amendment to our State Constitution and the House State Government Committee Chair is on board too. We've got a hearing coming up in a week or so and I wanted to know all of your opinions on it.

Obviously I am in favor.

[J. J.]

Yes.  In PA, you can register to vote if your birthday will be on the day after the date the primary or election is held.  If your birthday was in October, for example, you couldn't vote in the PA primary (April).

[7,052,770]

Yes.  You should be able to vote in any election that you would turn 18 during the elected person's term.

[Gustaf]

No, I see no reason for it. The underlying principle, if I understand it correctly, makes little sense to me.

[perdedor]

I would personally be in favor of lowering the voting age to 16. If you can drive and pay taxes at that age, why shouldn't you have a meaningful say in your governmnet?

[Person Man]

I would personally be in favor of lowering the voting age to 16. If you can drive and pay taxes at that age, why shouldn't you have a meaningful say in your governmnet?

Those who can't vote shouldn't have to pay taxes.

[Meeker]

A bill to lower the voting age to 16 was also introduced, but it's obviously much less likely to pass than this one.

Washington State is an especially good case for it - we have no state income tax so most of our income comes from the state sales tax which everyone pays for years before they turn 18.

[Person Man]

A bill to lower the voting age to 16 was also introduced, but it's obviously much less likely to pass than this one.

Washington State is an especially good case for it - we have no state income tax so most of our income comes from the state sales tax which everyone pays for years before they turn 18.

there's still federal taxes...but I guess familial representation theory works at state-wide elections, where there are no taxes.

[Meeker]

A bill to lower the voting age to 16 was also introduced, but it's obviously much less likely to pass than this one.

Washington State is an especially good case for it - we have no state income tax so most of our income comes from the state sales tax which everyone pays for years before they turn 18.

there's still federal taxes...but I guess familial representation theory works at state-wide elections, where there are no taxes.

Yea, the federal taxes are even more of a reason since the majority of 16 and 17-year-olds have had some sort of job they've paid taxes for.

[Хahar 🤔]

Certainly. My 18th birthday is less than a week before the 2012 elections. If I can vote then, why not in the primary?

[ilikeverin]

I can vote in the MN caucuses even though I turn 18 this August, so I don't see why not.

[they don't love you like i love you]

Yes.  You should be able to vote in any election that you would turn 18 during the elected person's term.

Uh, that'd allow 12 year olds to vote in Senate elections. Probably not the best move.

I support this and actually lowering the age to 17 (but not 16) altogether. If it was lowered to 17 though, I'd support the same rule for 16 year olds in the primary.

[CultureKing]

I personally see no reason for the law, you can just wait until you are 18, I know its a drag and real annoying but oh well.

[jokerman]

I am in this singular situation (in fact I turn 18 on the day of the general election).