Old Enough to Vote?

1. Set Focus 
Pose this essential question: Why do national elections matter?

2. Read and Discuss 
Have students read the article, marking key ideas and questions. Then ask them to answer the following questions, citing text evidence: 

• According to the article, why is the movement to lower the voting age “gaining new visibility”? What evidence do the authors offer to show that it’s gaining new visibility? (The authors attribute the new visibility in America to the British government’s decision to lower the voting age to 16. The authors note that more than a dozen U.S. cities, including Albany, California, and Newark, New Jersey, have allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in some elections.)

• What arguments have people made for lowering the U.S. voting age? How do Americans feel about it? (People have argued for lowering the U.S. voting age because doing so has historically improved civic engagement. Moreover, policy decisions often affect teens, and, according to some experts, teens have the critical-thinking skills needed to vote. However, the movement isn’t popular in the U.S. because many think teens aren’t mature enough.)

• Why are activists currently focused on local elections instead of national elections? (Activists are focused on local elections because, in our current age of “fierce” partisan politics, getting a constitutional amendment passed and ratified by the states would be very difficult. In addition, many issues important to teens are decided at the local level.)

3. Core Skill Practice
Assign, print, or project the activity Take a Stand. Have students use it to plan and then write a persuasive essay on the issue discussed in the article.

4. Writing Prompt
Which political issue (voting rights, civil rights, the economy, climate policy, etc.) do you care most about? Write a brief essay explaining why. 

5. Classroom Debate
Should the voting age for national elections be lower?

6. Quiz & Skills
Use the quiz to assess comprehension and the Be the Editor skills sheet to review grammar skills.