A couple of state reps proposed a bill that would allow 14 year olds the right to vote. The way it'll work is, if you're under 16 your vote will count as one quarter of an adult's vote. If you're 16 or 17, your vote will count for half.

Can you believe that? What do you think?!?! Are they crazy or what -- those lawmakers in Cali.

One thing's for sure, it would finally give students a say in matters that are important to them such as education funding and make politicians take youth issues more seriously for a change.

Do you think the bill will pass?

NC needs a law like that.

So maybe stupid people shouldn't be allowed to vote. Makes sense to me. But then how do you tell if someone is the right kind of smart?

quote:

---

Once again-NOT ALL TEENAGERS ARE APATHETIC!

---

True, but many are. I don't want the 14-year-old girl in my T.A. who asked what Europe was to have a say in the election.

quote:

---

Not that everyone who listens to those bands actually cares, but a lot do.

---

Yeah, because most of Blink 182's pre*****cent skater fans the ones who know what's going on...

Once again-NOT ALL TEENAGERS ARE APATHETIC! Look at all of us! How many of us are teenagers that can't vote? How many adults know what's going on? Ask some adults how much they know about the war on Iraq, the president's stance on issues, and who the names of the local and state government officals. There are oblivious people in all age groups, so what does matter is getting the people who do know what's going on and do care to get out there and ****ING VOTE! If you don't think that there are kids out there trying to raise voter turnout, go to freedom's answer

And what about the punkvoter movement? It's ment to target 18-25 year-olds, but what about if the voting age was lowered and it's target became 14-25 year-olds? Think about how many people they would influence. A ton of 14-17 year-olds listen to punk music, and some of those bands may be part of punkvoter (example- Pennywise, Anti-Flag, Bad Religion, Alkaline Trio, Authority Zero, NOFX, Rancid, Enemy You, Rise Against, Against Me, Circle Jerks, Descendents, None More Black, No Use For A Name, Diesel Boy, Dillenger Four, Dropkick Murphys, The Code, Blink 182). All of those bands are involved, and the ones that are really into it make that clear to their fans. Not that everyone who listens to those bands actually cares, but a lot do.

As far as the passing is another thing, the thing that is most important, is that are some teen aware of the situations that's going on today in world politics?...Are they informed enough to make a reasonable decision in the election process of this country?...Not knocking those in California who think that would make some difference in lowering the voting age, when the simple fact is that people today just don't care...If only 18 million 18-30 year olds voted in 2000, what will lowering the voting age in America do for 2004?...


Mavriq17 a.k.a YoungWorld

Not all teenagers are that dumb. A lot of them are, but then why would they bother to get registered if they didn't care? I don't think there would be much of a chance of "power abuse". A lot of adults vote blindly. Anyway, if you think so many teenagers are apathetic, check out underground action alliance

read an old post of mine on the subject here:

http://boards.youthnoise.com/eve/forums?q=Y&a=tpc&s=742299645&f=383295355&m=1044087592&p=3

quote:

---

I believe the amendment in the constitution directly lays out the voting age as 18. And since amendments aren't easy to come by, I doubt it will pass.

---

Well it was 21 not too long ago...

Anyway. if it does pass I'm glad it would only count for a quarter of a vote. I really don't trust many of my peers. Not that I'm really into politics anyway. I'll learn more when I have to, but in the meantime I can't vote so it makes it a little easier. Less responsibility. There really isn't a need for 14 year olds to vote. Maybe 16 year olds, but definitely not 14/15 year olds.

quote:

---

What are they trying to say, that fourteen year olds' opinions are only one-quarter as important as that of adults? Or that we're four times as dumb? WTF?

---

Yup, that’s exactly what they are saying.

I'm all for lowering the voting age, but why would a vote by someone my age count for one quarter? What are they trying to say, that fourteen year olds' opinions are only one-quarter as important as that of adults? Or that we're four times as dumb? WTF?

quote:

---

Woman: "... Just once.."

---

Unless you're from Chicago. (I am, so I can make the joke.)

As Lewis Black said, "Instead of giving 14-year-olds the vote, maybe we should start taking it away from the stupid people." Or something like that. It was on The Daily Show last night.

quote:

---

about this divorce your parents and be economically reliant on yourself

---

HEY!! I did that sort of...not legal...I just refused to go home anymore, and had to get a job at 15 if I intended to eat!

But...I agree with DJ, being on this site and seeing how easily most kids on here fall for spin from rejects...like...hmmm...MICHAEL MOORE...I couldn't trust them to do what's right for my future. Then you have those who haven't really grasped that most everything in a certain book about a certain dude hanging out on a cross...have been proven time and time again...illogical, I can't say I want any of them voting yet. Next thing you know Pat Roberts will be president...AHHHH THE HORROR OF IT ALL!!!

true, i wouldnt trust many teens to vote either

quote:

---

WELL I DON'T THINK THERE SHOULD BE A LEGAL AGE TO HOLD YOUR SELF RESPONSIBLE.

---

That’s great, but the fact stands the government, most psychologists and plain out logic agrees with me that the fact that people under the age of 18 are not ready to be responsible for themselves. Hell a lot guys aren't even fully ready until they are freaking 25.
But by all means please if you feel so passionately about this divorce your parents and be economically reliant on yourself, then you can comeback and speak. The same goes for the rest of the people under 18 who think they should be able to vote.

quote:

---

He should make a movie about how obesity kills.

---

hahaha...his new book..."DUDE, How Bout Weight Watchers"

Disagree with it. You receive the right to vote when you are legally held responsible for yourself, therefore leave it at 18.

Yeah that would be kinda cool, except for the fact that I already get enough of my teachers liberal views. About half of my class has already been brainwashed by her and that fat *******(born out of wedlock) Micheal Moore. He should make a movie about how obesity kills.