Depending on where you live in the United States, you can drive a vehicle as early as age 14 in the Dakota’s Iowa, Kansas, Alaska, and Arkansas and drive by yourself as early as 15 in Montana and the Dakotas (SD is 14.5 years). Every state allows Restricted Licenses to minors before the age of 17 everywhere except for New Jersey. Where am I going with this? We allow minors to risk their lives and drive on highways filled with drunk drivers and non-law abiding citizens going upwards of 80 MPH, but we don’t allow them to cast a vote in any sort of election. 

Only 60% of eligible voters cast a vote in the 2008 Presidential election, and numbers haven’t improved much since. Under half of the adults who make $40,000 a year (about $19.23 an hour for 40 hours/week job) vote. Just over 75% vote with $100,000 a year made ($48 an hour). That’s not enough to represent democracy. Only half of high school graduates (no other school credentials) vote, even 22% of people with Advanced Degrees didn’t cast a vote. There’s no excuse for it. When under 1/3rd of Asians and Hispanics vote, your democracy isn’t truly representative. No race exceeds 65% voter turnout. There is no true way to fix this, but we can get people to the polls who actually WANT to vote. 

Personally, I have dozens of friends who wish they could vote for a candidate in 2020. None of them will be eligible. I know somebody who turns 18 one month after the 2020 election, meaning he can’t choose a presidential candidate until age 22. Since 1960, we haven’t gotten 62% of eligible Americans to vote and we have untapped potential in the “future of politics”. Future Presidents and Congressmen and women are underage and really interested in politics and are informed enough to make decisions in elections. 

How could we do it? The government needs to issue an optional test for minors to take who believe they are informed enough to vote for President, Congress or even Township Council. Us young people can make our democracy more representative. If we pass the test, we are given a pass to be able to register to vote at primaries and on Election Day so that birthdays lying after the primaries and the general election get to vote in both. I support keeping all adults over 18 eligible to vote but it would be a massive step forward for the country if we allowed educated minors to vote for the officers that make laws for us. We Deserve Representation!