In a state where 16 year olds drive cars and may be granted emancipation from their parents, they should have a voice about what happens in the political future of their country. Allowing 16 year olds to vote in New York state will give them agency concerning their futures, and promote their becoming active and engaged citizens. If 16 year olds feel they can affect real change, it will create an active voter base before individuals go to college, with a new sense of confidence.  
The reason the voting age was lowered to 18 was because of the young soldiers who were dying in Vietnam before they could vote.  Today high school students are dying in their schools yet have no power to impact the causes of this threat.
Parents/Guardians who encourage their children to vote will create a snowball effect on 18-24 voting brackets in a few years, resulting in greater numbers for the typically low voter turnout of this age group.   Younger people should have more influence over the things that will primarily impact the younger generations, such as social security and the national debt. We are the future, and should have the power to do something about our future today.