Early voting for the November presidential election is well underway in the United States, and both parties are trying to engage young voters. Solutions that would benefit the national economy, such as increasing the availability of high-quality education and reducing the cost of job training, particularly affect young voters.

But our current system has a fundamental flaw when it comes to young voters that can and must be addressed before the next election cycle: more young American citizens, who have the greatest stake in America’s economic future, should be allowed to vote. The United States should raise the voting age from 18 to 16 nationwide. This is what almost a dozen countries have done, including Argentina, Austria, Germany and Scotland. Many cities across the United States have already instituted a voting age of 16 for local elections.

This reform is neither progressive nor conservative, but rather an essential next step to improve the functioning of our republic. Past voting rights reforms have contributed greatly to upholding American ideals and improving self-government – ​​as has the extension of voting rights to 16- and 17-year-old citizens.

Among other reasons why it makes sense to welcome more young U.S. citizens to the polls:

This strengthens our economy. It makes economic sense to create incentives for politicians to attract high school juniors and seniors. Our economy works better when politicians are accountable to more voters who are beginning their working lives and making the decisions about their futures that affect us all. Many young Americans are keenly interested in job training, affordable, quality education, a reasonable cost of living, and job prospects that will allow them to stay closer to family if they choose. . These priorities are aligned with a stronger economy for all Americans in the short and long term.

This strengthens our democracy by creating more engaged citizens. Citizens who feel their concerns and issues matter are more likely to vote. What better time to encourage the habit of voting than when they are in school and involved in their community, studying civics and taking on their first major responsibilities like working, driving a car and paying taxes? A study by the McCourtney Institute for Democracy shows that young Americans are more skeptical of democracy than previous generations. The best remedy for this disengagement from American values ​​is a commitment to self-government., starting with voting. Unless you welcome younger people Now, in this fundamental practice of our republic, the evidence suggests that there is a risk that they are more likely to be open to autocratic socialism or fascist authoritarianism. Either system is bad for the economy, as well as our fundamental freedoms.

Science suggests that giving young people the opportunity to vote could turn them into lifelong citizens of democracy. This is confirmed by College of William & Mary Law School researchwhich revealed that by the age of 16, our brains are capable of forming habits that will last a lifetime. According to Yale Institution for Social and Political Studiesvoting creates a habit. Understanding politics is also within the reach of young people aged 16 and 17, who on average know our political system as well as 18 to 25 year olds who can vote, researchers say Daniel Hart and James Youniss. And when given the opportunity, young people are reliable voters. The voting age has already been lowered for local or school elections in many cities in California, New Jersey, Maryland and Vermont. In Takoma ParkMaryland – one of eight cities in Maryland where people as young as 16 can vote in municipal elections – registered voters ages 16 and 17 have outperformed all registered voters in each municipal election since November 2013, with 63% of them having voted in 2022, compared to 49% of all voters.

It matches responsibilities with rights. We are already demanding that millions of working 16 and 17 year olds pay taxes. Having founded our republic on the principle of “no taxes without representation,” we should restore that principle as part of renewing America’s promise. As Republican Representative Michael Burgess of Texas posted on: “Those who pay taxes should have a voice in our democracy. When I was a teenager, I worked and paid taxes…I support policies that encourage work and that could be part of the conversation. It’s no wonder that when the issue was first brought before Congress, it received surprisingly high, bipartisan opinion. 126 votes on his first try. Additionally, 17-year-olds can serve in the military with parental consent. In most states, people aged 16 have the right to work, with few restrictions on hours. We are giving 16-year-olds the most dangerous responsibility of driving on our roads and highways: Granting the right to vote to U.S. citizens at 16 is far less risky and results in greater economic and civic benefits for all Americans.

This creates a forward-looking electorate. As it stands, older voters have a disproportionate say in issues that will affect young people in the decades to come. In 2020, the electorate was already the oldest in more than half a century – since at least 1970, according to Pew Research Center. What’s more, the Census Bureau estimates that by 2034, the number of Americans over 65 will exceed those 18 and under for the first time in U.S. history. Top economic concerns among young people, such as debt management, health care affordability, and housing costs, highlighted recently by Gabriel Sanchez, Karishma Luthra and Anya Parasher of Brookingsare questions essential to the long-term health of our economy. But older voters may not be as concerned about the future as younger ones.

This will improve our schools. Politicians won’t be the only ones to be held more accountable by lowering the voting age. The same will be true for the schools that teach our young people. When 16- and 17-year-olds vote, teachers, principals, community leaders and students across the United States will have a responsibility to do more to improve civics and other areas. Some communities will do a better job of engaging young people in the essential practice of American self-governance. As better teaching methods are identified, civic education could quickly improve across the country.

Communities work best when we put country before party and engage all Americans in America. Approaching 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, allowing American citizens to vote at the more appropriate age of 16 is an effective way to strengthen America. If American citizens vote at 16, politicians will be more accountable – and our economy, our democracy, and our education system will all benefit from better prospects. Neglecting a promising, low-cost way to improve prosperity, education and freedom in America is a risk the country can no longer afford to take.