Democratic presidential hopeful and entrepreneur Andrew YangAndrew YangGeorge Floyd protests show corporations must support racial and economic equality Andrew Yang discusses his universal basic income pilot program Andrew Yang on the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis MORE on Wednesday proposed lowering the federal voting age to 16.
“Lower the Voting Age to 16,” Yang tweeted.
“Getting young people voting early makes them voters for life. Our politics will affect young people for decades to come. They should have a say in their own future.”
New policy #7 – Lower the Voting Age to 16. Getting young people voting early makes them voters for life. Our politics will affect young people for decades to come. They should have a say in their own future. https://t.co/RbyqIu2qqY
— Andrew Yang (@AndrewYang) April 3, 2019
In a more detailed explanation of the policy proposal on his website, Yang gave three reasons to lower the voting age: increasing turnout, the unfairness of taxing young voters without representation and promotion of civic engagement.
ADVERTISEMENTThe debate over allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote has recently picked up steam.
Rep. Ayanna PressleyAyanna PressleyHow language is bringing down Donald Trump Over 1,400 pro athletes, coaches call on Congress to back bill ending qualified immunity Biden’s right, we need policing reform now – the House should quickly take up his call to action MORE (D-Mass.) introduced an amendment to the House election reform bill to lower the age earlier this month. The amendment was voted down 126-305, but served to reopen the discussion.
Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiTrump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Pelosi: Georgia primary ‘disgrace’ could preview an election debacle in November MORE (D-Calif.) has voiced her “personal” support for the change.
The Constitution does not prohibit states from setting a lower voting age, and some cities have considered or adopted legislation to lower the minimum voting age. Many states allow 16-year-olds to preregister to vote.
Oregon is currently considering lowering the state’s minimum voting age from 18 to 16.
Some other 2020 presidential hopefuls have expressed openness to lowering the voting age, according to The Washington Post, but Yang is the first to officially declare his intention to do so.
Yang has sought to carve himself a niche among 2020 candidates with his numerous progressive policy positions such as his proposal for a universal basic income.
On Tuesday he announced that his campaign raised $1.7 million in February and March from 80,000 unique donors, officially qualifying him for the Democratic presidential debates.
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