Federal
Proposed Constitutional Amendment to Lower Federal Voting Age to 16
House Joint Resolution 16 proposes an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would extend the right to vote in federal elections to citizens who are 16 years of age or older. Currently, the 26th Amendment sets the minimum voting age at 18. Because this is a constitutional amendment, it would require approval by two-thirds of both chambers of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures to take effect. The resolution was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary in January 2025.
✓ REASONS TO SUPPORT
- 16- and 17-year-olds who work and pay taxes would gain a direct say in electing the lawmakers who set tax and wage policy affecting them
- Civic research suggests that people who begin voting while still in high school, where civics is often taught, may develop stronger long-term voting habits
- Many 16-year-olds already hold legal responsibilities such as driving and employment, and supporters argue political representation should match those responsibilities
- Expanding the electorate to include younger citizens could encourage elected officials to give greater weight to policies affecting young people, such as education and climate
✕ REASONS TO OPPOSE
- Adolescent brain development research shows that judgment and long-term decision-making continue maturing past age 16, leading some experts to question readiness for electoral participation
- Lowering the voting age has been tried in relatively few U.S. jurisdictions, so evidence of its broader civic effects at a national scale remains limited
- A constitutional amendment is a permanent, nationwide change that would be very difficult to reverse if unintended consequences emerged
- Critics argue that at 16, most individuals still rely heavily on parents or guardians for housing and financial support, which could make their votes less independently formed
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