I am a student in high school and I'm 17 years old. Now i myself got a job this summer and had to pay taxes like every other working citizen and to someone like me i completely object to saying the voting age should be raised. I personally wrote a letter to my congressman speaking out on my side of the story. I'm a very loyal and patriotic citizen and i don't think it's very reasonable or constitutional to say that i can't vote for the person that takes my taxes to spend. This conflict and battle have worn me out by politicians saying that even the legal voting age is too young and that the younger population of voters wouldn't know what to do. That celebrities and models would grab our attention to vote their way, but my question to you; is what about the older voters who are mature enough to vote but abuse their right? What is said to them? Whats the difference in a voter who is mature by age that irresponsible votes and a teenager that does the same?

Voting is a privilege, not a right. It has been miscast as a right of adulthood, but it has been drastically changed from inception. Originally, to exercise the franchise was to undertake the duties as well as the privileges. For example, the definition of militia. All able bodied male citizens between a certain age range were obligated to fight, and die, if necessary, on command.

How this has changed can be found in the "women's right to vote". Women citizens are not obligated to fight and die on command. They are "more equal" than male citizens. They have a superior right to life, while exercising the privilege to vote.

Now, let us examine underage voters. Whether they have greater or lesser intelligence than their forebears is not at issue. What the issue is: Will they accept the duties of citizenship?

Some may very well be ready to shoulder the burden. But I strongly suspect that the majority are just kids. And politics is still a game to them.

I myself, think 16 should be the voting age. I understand that people think teenagers under 16 would irresponsible with the right to vote and not care to much about it, but if they really don't care about it they probably wouldn't even vote. I'm 16 and I would take advantage of being able to vote, and I know many other teens who would too. People shouldn't always think bad about teens, because more than half of them are actually pretty responsible and into politics. People 16-18 most always act the same, and have the same mind, so there wouldn't be to much of a difference in letting 16 year olds vote. It would be good to have more people that want to vote, considering many people who can vote, don't even do it. They blow it off for other things. I know there are many people 16 and under wishing they could vote, but knowing they can't.

I think 15 would be the proper age to vote because you are able to know whats going in your surroundance. Also,you really know whats going on wheather people believe you are not because, folks really don't understand that the presidential election effect you life to cause at this age you can get a job and an drivers permitt. So, basically if you drive and work you have the right to have a so say about whats going on in your world TRUE or NOT? Be honest 15 year olds voting is the key to success.........

I think the the age set right now is the proper age for voting. When someone is eighteen they have most likely graduated high school and are living on their own, either in college or not, and know the struggles of the american people. Not to say that people under eighteen don't, but eighteen year olds at least have a better understanding. As for 15 year olds, they are very capable of making strong, educated decisions, but i would not want them deciding the future of our country. For the comment before me. Maybe you should spell check.