If they can vote in General Election then 17-year-olds should get to vote in primary
Story By: Rachel Gonzalez
I personally think 17 year olds should be allowed to vote in primaries as long as they will be 18 by the general election. I am 16 now but, I will be 17 for the 2016 primary and 18 for the General election. Why should I get to cast a ballot in a very important election, but not get to vote in a equally important one that allows me to have a say in my candidate?
Just having the privilege to vote in the primary will get younger voters excited for the General election. Many states such as Illinois, South Carolina, and eighteen others already allow this but Missouri is not one.
I get told all the time that voting is not important, but in reality it is. Your vote is your voice and you should never let anyone take that away from you. I have had a countdown to the date of the 2016 general election because it will be the first time I get to vote.
It's not true when people say that there is no teenagers that care, or are capable of having this responsibility and I am proof of it. I care about a lot of issues and even though I am young I will fight for what I believe in. I have been engaged with politics for a while and I bet I can tell you a lot more than people much older than me.
I am not saying that the total voting age should be completely changed but if you can vote in a General election I'm not sure why you wouldn't be able to vote in the primary also. I will be proud the day that I can finally vote because I truly believe that every vote counts.
I personally think 17 year olds should be allowed to vote in primaries as long as they will be 18 by the general election. I am 16 now but, I will be 17 for the 2016 primary and 18 for the General election. Why should I get to cast a ballot in a very important election, but not get to vote in a equally important one that allows me to have a say in my candidate?
Just having the privilege to vote in the primary will get younger voters excited for the General election. Many states such as Illinois, South Carolina, and eighteen others already allow this but Missouri is not one.
I get told all the time that voting is not important, but in reality it is. Your vote is your voice and you should never let anyone take that away from you. I have had a countdown to the date of the 2016 general election because it will be the first time I get to vote.
It's not true when people say that there is no teenagers that care, or are capable of having this responsibility and I am proof of it. I care about a lot of issues and even though I am young I will fight for what I believe in. I have been engaged with politics for a while and I bet I can tell you a lot more than people much older than me.
I am not saying that the total voting age should be completely changed but if you can vote in a General election I'm not sure why you wouldn't be able to vote in the primary also. I will be proud the day that I can finally vote because I truly believe that every vote counts.