The leader of Australia’s opposition Labor Party says the country’s voting age should be lowered to 16. In a speech last week, Bill Shorten said, “Young Australians like you deserve the right to shape the laws and policies that shape your lives. … I believe young people want to be involved in decision-making processes —…
It is happening! District of Columbia Councilmembers Charles Allen, Brianne Nadeau and David Grosso today are introducing a bill today to lower the voting age to 16 in DC elections. Washington, DC would be the largest city in the nation to have a 16-year-old voting age. NYRA-DC has been working with local activist Michelle Blackwell from…
The District of Columbia is the newest front in the ongoing campaign to lower the voting age to 16. NYRA partner, OUR C.A.P.S. (Community Alliance for Peaceful Streets), kicked off their campaign to lower the DC voting age on Friday. Armed with stats and arguments provided by NYRA, this new group is bringing this issue…
For the first time since the election age was lowered to 16 for local elections in Takoma Park, these new voters had an opportunity to vote last Tuesday. And guess what? They showed up! Turnout among 16- and 17-year-olds in Tuesday’s election for mayor and Council members was four times higher than overall turnout, according…
For years, NYRA has worked to find one state or one community that would finally allow people younger than 18 to vote. On May 13, 2013 we achieved a breakthrough: Takoma Park, Maryland voted to be the first US city with a voting age of 16. “Other nations, from Argentina to Austria, have allowed 16-year-olds…
*** Update 5/13/13: We did it! *** Takoma Park, MD is poised to become the first city in America to let 16-year-olds vote. To make such a change, the city council must go through three public ceremonies. First, a public hearing where members of the public give their views on the proposal. Second, a vote…
*** Update: We’re winning. *** NYRA has long fought for a lower voting age, and we may soon have a breakthrough right on Washington, DC’s border. Takoma Park, Maryland is now considering a proposal to let 16-year-olds vote in local elections. If this succeeds, we may soon see other cites lose their fear of enfranchising…
The Minneapolis Television Network recently held a live, one-hour special entitled “Youth & Politics,” and included among their guests Maxwell Hall (President, NYRA – Washington County) and Amy O’Connell (President, NYRA – Twin Cities). Here’s the first half: And here’s the second:
In our nation’s capital, youth rights activists came from as far away as Long Island to speak out for a lower voting age and an end to voter ID laws. “America was founded on the idea that those who must obey the laws are entitled to a say in what the laws are,” declared NYRA…
Friday, NYRA will host our national Votes for Youth rally. And we need some good chants people can do to show our passion for increasing democracy. So in this age of crowd-sourcing, we’re inviting you to post suggestions for chants. The best submissions will be used at the rally! To enter, just post your suggested…
