DC May Give 16-Year-Olds Right to Vote for President

In the three years that I taught Intro to Journalism at the City College of New York, we’d have the most fun during our “Op-Ed” lesson, where students would have an in-class debate. Whenever we argued the question, “Should the drinking age be lowered to 18?” the pro side would inevitably argue that if kids can die in a war and vote, they should be able to get a drink.

Well, younger teens in Washington, D.C., may soon very well be able to vote at least five years before they can legally consume a frosty Hennessy Colada at their favorite chain restaurant.

According to Vice News, the nation’s capital now has a bill before its City Council that would allow kids as young as 16 to vote in federal elections, including for president, if passed. The 26th Amendment of the Constitution does not stop states from lowering the voting age below 18, but says that the voting age cannot be over 18.

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