San Francisco May Allow Teenagers To Vote In Local Elections

A proposition called Vote 16 could lower the voting age in San Francisco and give minors as young as 16 years old the right to vote in local elections.

While some do not see a benefit to lowering the voting age, Vote 16’s campaign manager, Brandon Klugman, told NBC News that research suggests otherwise.

“Research is clear on this, that voting is a habit. And 16 is a better time than 18 to establish that habit,” he explained.

“Our motivation here first and foremost is to make sure that we put new voters in a position to establish that habit in the first election they’re eligible for, and then to continue participating throughout their lives, which is good for democracy on every level.”

If Vote 16 is approved, it would allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries and special elections if they turn 18 at the next general election.

However, this isn’t the first time advocates have tried to get the voting age lowered. In 2016, a similar measure was presented, but organizers failed to get it to pass, only receiving 48 percent of voter approval.

Meanwhile, in 2018, Congresswoman Grace Meng, D-NY, introduced a constitutional amendment that would lower the voting age to 16 years old nationwide.

“I’m always inspired by our nation’s youth who have demonstrated wisdom, maturity, and passion on issues like social justice, gun control, and climate change,” she said in a statement.

“They are the leaders of our future and the decisions we make impact their lives every day. To capture their views and experiences, we must lower the voting age to 16 in all elections.”

Despite various proposals suggestions to lower the voting age, there hasn’t been much progress made in major cities.