The Newark decision to lower the voting age for school board elections highlights some of the complexities of voting systems and their implications for fairness in democratic processes. 

Should the voting age be lowered to 16? Above the Noise examines this question, arguing that maybe we need to rethink the voting age. Similarly, in the TEDx Talk “Change the Voting Age to 16” Camille King provides compelling arguments about the logic of allowing 16 year olds to drive, pay taxes, and purchase firearms without the ability to vote on such issues. 
Has the voting age always been 18? Before the adoption of the 26th Amendment, young men could be drafted to serve in the Vietnam War, but could not vote. Learn how the Supreme Court case of Oregon v. Mitchell gave added motivation for supporters of lowering the voting age. 

Learn more about the passage of the 26th Amendment, which enshrined the voting age at 18, by visiting the Center for Your Political Participation.  Examine the progression of the voting age and other voting rights legislation enacted in the 1970s.

Finally, the debate over voting age is not limited to the United States. Watch this video to learn about efforts in Australia to allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote.

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