BOSTON — U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley is pushing to lower the federal voting age from 18 to 16.
The Massachusetts Democrat made the proposal as her first amendment since winning election last year.
Pressley said young people across the country are taking the lead on key issues from gun violence to climate change. She said that under her amendment people as young as 16 could vote to elect members of Congress and the president.
#DidYouKnow In 2018, nearly 2 million young people between the ages of 16 & 17 were employed, contributing to the labor force and to their local economy through paying taxes. #16toVote
— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) March 6, 2019
In a Wednesday press release, Pressley said she believes those who will inherit the country should have a say in electing those who represent them. She noted that in some states like Massachusetts 16- and 17-year-olds can pre-register to vote.
Pressley offered the proposal as an amendment to a Democratic-backed bill aimed in part at expanding voting rights.
Associated Press
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