Reply #38: Well, *I* should've been able to vote when I was 16... haha

[last_texas_dem]

I wasn't (and am not) any sort of genius, but I sincerely believe I already knew more about politics at that age than the average adult American. And yeah, I realize that isn't saying much... I guess I'm still just bitter that a couple of my friends were old enough to vote for the Idiot Son of an Asshole when I was still 17 and couldn't cast my vote for Gore. (I did write the endorsement for Al for my high school paper, though, so woo hoo! haha.)

Really, though, even realizing that there are a small percentage of well-informed and/or politically involved Americans that should be able to vote who are getting shut out of the process, I think it's best to keep the age where it is. Not as any sort of punishment to smart, politically active 17 year olds, but just because you kind of have to draw the line somewhere and keeping the voting age in line with the age at which one can serve in the military seems consistent. I don't embrace the argument that 16 and 17 year olds are notably less informed on political matters than 18 and 19 year olds, though... There are plenty of people who are already quite well informed as high schoolers and others who will go their grave ignorant about political matters. Many may actually be more up on things in their high school years than they will ever be again. if only out of necessity; being aware of what's going on around you is largely up to you.