Councilman Allen Introduces Bill to Allow 16-Year-Olds to Vote in District Elections

Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen introduced a bill today to the District Council today that would change the voting age in the district to 16.

If passed, the Youth Vote Amendment Act of 2015 will allow 16-year-olds to vote in all District elections.

In a statement on the bill, Allen cited the responsibilities and obligations with which 16-year-olds are trusted and argues that they should have a say in government.

“As a government, we are holding 16-year-old youth accountable for a wide array of decisions and responsibilities, but we do not grant them a meaningful voice in these issues,” the statement says. “The Youth Vote Amendment Act of 2015 aims to do just that — by lowering the voting age to 16, we can bring our young people directly into the political process and, hopefully, create lifelong voters.”

The bill, which is now under consideration by the Council, was cosponsored by At-Large COuncilman David Grosso and Ward 1 Councilwoman Brianne Nadeau.