A surprising number of political leaders, academics and creative artists support enfranchising high-school aged teens. Politically they include liberals, moderates and conservatives. Here are a few key individuals.
National/Worldwide Political Leaders
- Michael Moore, filmaker (Supports voting age of 16)
- Dennis Kucinich, Congressman, Ohio (D)(Supports voting age of 16)
- Jackie Speier, Congresswoman, California (D) (Proposed voting age of 14 for California in 1995)
- John B. Anderson, Former Congressman (R)(Supports voting age of 16)
- Ralph Nader, 2008 Candidate for President
- Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa (Proposed voting age of 14 in 1994)
State and Local Political Leaders
- Arizona-Ed Ableser and Meg Burton, State Representatives (Proposed Voting Age of 16 in 2009)
- Illinois-Lou Lang, State Representative (Proposed Voting Age of 17 in 2008)
- Minnesota-Phylllis Kahn, State Representative (Proposed Voting Age of 16)
- New York- Gale Brewer (New York City Council Member- Proposed Voting Age of 16 in 2005)
Keep checking back in (more names will be added). In the meantime, take a look at the National Youth Rights Association’s list of efforts to lower the voting age worldwide.
Tags: "Dennis Kucinich", "Michael Moore", "right to vote", "youth rights", democracy, elections, politics, vote
