Lowering the Voting Age to 16 (9-22)

Context for Lowering Voting Age: Britain's intention to allow $16$ - and $17$ -year-olds to vote sparks similar advocacy in the U.S.
U.S. Progress & Challenges:
- A national change requires a constitutional amendment, which is difficult.
- Over a dozen U.S. cities (e.g., Albany, CA; Newark, NJ; College Park, MD) have lowered the voting age to $16$ for local and school district elections.
- Some states permit $17$ -year-olds to vote in primaries if turning $18$ by the general election.
Arguments for Lowering the Voting Age:
- Youth pay taxes but lack representation.
- Presently hold various adult responsibilities (e.g., drive, work, pay taxes, apply for passports, sue for emancipation).
- Directly impacted by political decisions (e.g., gun control, healthcare, affordability, school policies, climate change).
- Believed to lead to more habitual, lifetime voting by fostering engagement early.
- Psychological research suggests $16$ - and $17$ -year-olds are