Younger teens may not legally be allowed to see an R-rated
movie, but they may soon be able to vote.
California state Sen. John Vasconcellos, D-San Jose, has
proposed an amendment to the state constitution that would allow
children as young as 14 to vote in state elections. Under the
proposal, 14- and 15-year-olds would be able to cast a ballot that
would be counted as a quarter of a vote. 16- and 17-year-olds would
be granted a half-vote.
Vasconcellos seems to believe that by lowering the voting age, a
new generation of voters can get hooked early and stay addicted to
voting for the rest of their lives. The tobacco companies were not
reached for comment.
Proponents of the plan argue that today’s teenagers are
better informed than those of generations past. The wide spectrum
of television programming available has made modern teens more
knowledgeable about current events. Technological innovations such
as cellular phones and the Internet have also facilitated access to
data.
In all honesty, these advancements have not made modern
teenagers politically savvy. Guessing from the types of Web sites a
pubescent 14-year-old is probably looking at, I really do not think
he is particularly qualified to decide the validity of a
proposition. I do, however, think he is more qualified to grip that
tiny voting pencil.
Some student supporters have claimed the amendment would give
them a say in crucial matters, such as educational funding,
after-school programs and soda in drinking fountains.
These kids also maintain it will provide an extra incentive for
young people to get involved and add their cracking voices to the
diverse California electorate. But where will these teens get their
information? Surely if Tiger Beat magazine can start offering
political recommendations, new youthful voters could research the
issues while reading their favorite celebrities’
horoscopes.
But rightfully so, the proposed amendment has been met with much
skepticism. Assemblyman Ray Haynes told The Associated Press,
“There’s a reason why 14-year-olds and 16-year-olds
don’t vote. They are not adults. They are not mature
enough.” In retort, one 14-year-old rebutted, “I know
you are, but what am I?” Touché.
The truth of the matter is this proposal is, as one assemblyman
put it, “the nuttiest idea I’ve ever heard.”
Just because you can get a training bra does not mean you should
be able to get a training election. The mere fact that these new
ballots would not even be counted as a full vote demonstrates how
little faith is placed in them. Many current voters already
wrongfully feel their one full vote does not count for anything.
What are teenagers who only receive a fraction of a vote supposed
to believe?
In 1971, the 26th Amendment to the federal Constitution lowered
the voting age from 21 to 18. The rationale was sound ““ a
person is legally an adult at 18, a person can be drafted into the
service at 18, a person should have every right to vote at 18.
That logic stands true to this day. High school government
classes are typically taught during the senior year of instruction,
just as the students are nearing their 18th birthdays. These
classes educate and enlighten burgeoning minds about the workings
of statecraft. These students are preparing themselves for their
civic duties to be informed and utilize the greatest instrument a
democratic society can offer ““ a vote.
Yes, the number of young voters participating in elections has
continuously decreased over the years. But that does not mean the
solution is to drop the minimum voting age even lower.
Common sense dictates this proposal should not receive the
two-thirds consent in the Legislature to put the matter on the
November ballot. If by some fluke this proposition does reach the
electorate, rest assured that those ankle-biting nose miners will
not be the ones voting on it. As an Urban Outfitters’ shirt
reads, “Voting Is for Old People.” Well as it has
always been in California, old still means 18 or over.
The bottom line is that allowing 14-year-olds to vote will only
really accomplish one thing ““ Justin Timberlake will finally
be elected mayor of Scrumptious-ville.
Pfohl is a fourth-year history and political science
student. E-mail him at jpfohl@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments
to viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.