Writing Project # 3 Final w/ Suggested Revisions

Writing project three was the most difficult project. My revisions would begin with the annotated bibliographies and citations per APA style (outcome six.) Also, grammatical errors such as long sentences and passive-voice (outcome three.) Although I mentioned an opposing view, I would have liked more time to develop this viewpoint within my paper and also to include a better rebuttal/counter issue (outcome one, two four, five and eight.)

Lowering the Voting Age in Arizona

There have been several attempts across the nation to lower the voting age in America, including the state of Arizona. The controversy surrounding the issue to lower the voting age is whether teenagers, over the age of 16, are mature and knowledgeable enough to make well-informed decisions. They are allowed to drive vehicles at the age of 15–that requires constant 'good' decision making; obtain a job at the age of 16–which requires paying taxes; receive permission from parents to get married at the age of 17–that requires demonstration of adult responsibility and if convicted of a serious crime be tried as an adult in a court of law prior to turning the age of 18. Teenagers with adult responsibilities and expectations are currently not allowed to vote like an adult as the current age to vote in America is 18 according to the XXVI Amendment, which reads “The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age” (NARA, 2007). A few reasons why the state of Arizona should reconsider lowering the voting age to 16 is stronger communities, increase in voter turnout rates, and educational opportunities.

Today’s teenagers are actively participating in and strengthening their communities by showing, they are capable of making ‘good’ choices and decisions. For instance, teenagers in New York put together an exhibit that highlighted the ‘good’ things they were accomplishing within their community. After taking a tour of the exhibit, a news reporter for The New York Amsterdam News, Linda Armstrong writes, “Many people believe a lot of negative things about teenagers. Today’s teen is often seen as disrespectful, lazy, self-centered, and destructive” (2006). However, Ms. Armstrong further writes about how the exhibition called “Through Our Eyes: The Life of a Teen Activist in New York” demonstrates that many teens are actively participating in their communities with positive results. Michelle Victor, a St. Michael Academy student, who participated in the exhibit said, "A lot of the issues we have could be prevented if adults communicated with us regarding issues like sex and HIV, instead of trying to scare us, teach us about it. We need support in general, not a condescending view. That broadens that communication gap" (Armstrong, 2006). In addition, in Arizona, teenagers will be able to participate actively in strengthening their communities by assisting at the polls on election day(s) due to new legislation (Boggan, 2006).

Furthermore, teenagers will continue their education about civics ‘hands on’ while working at the polling booths helping adults to vote. In another state, Florida is taking steps to motivate their youth population by pre-registering teenagers to vote as a way to engage teenagers to participate in the civic process (Broward, 2007). Florida teenagers will also be able to assist their communities ‘hands on’ at the polling booths furthering their education on civics. Additionally, students in California are lobbying to ensure high schools are not penalized on election days when students volunteer to work at the polling booths (Nardi, 2006). California currently charges schools $35 per student that is absent per day. This figure totaled for one county district $1300 in 2005. Teenagers are not only aware of what is happening in their communities; they are also taking steps to improve and strengthen their communities further demonstrating their ability to make ‘good’ decisions.

Since 1982, the electoral participation across the nation has declined among 18 to 29 year olds (Kirby, E., Lopez, M., & Marcelo, K., 2007). However, disrupted for the past two elections, the pattern saw an increase from 22 percent to 25 percent. In Arizona, this trend ranged from 21 percent in 1994, dipping to 14 percent in 2002, than increased to 23 percent in 2006. In a report that examined KVUSA and its impact on Arizona, according to Bruce D. Merrill, PhD: “…Kids Voting program continues to increase voter turnout in Arizona elections…Kids Voting helped bring an additional 50,000 registered voters to the polls on election day in 2000” (Merrill, 2000). Can you imagine what this figure would be if teenagers age 16 to 17 could vote? How many more parents would be responsive and motivated to vote? Youth voting turnout is on the rise in Arizona, opening further opportunities to increase this percentage for the upcoming elections by focusing on today’s youth.

My experience with Arizona voting, just six years prior to 1994, was non-existent because I was scared to vote when I turned 18. I did not know how or what I was supposed to do. Unfortunately, I dropped out of high school two years before I was to graduate. It is possible I missed the opportunity to receive formal training regarding voting and its processes. I felt awkward in asking my family and friends for fear of being viewed as incompetent. Finally, in my late 20’s, I gained the courage I needed to ask questions. I overcame my fear by realizing numerous people died to ensure I had the freedom and the right to vote. If I had learned, voting was not as complicated as I thought it was earlier, I could have affected changes regarding important issues throughout my life. If the voting age limit had been 16, I may have had a different voting experience.

Through educational exposure or experience, some politicians and organizations have assisted youths on their quest to lowering the voting age and receiving education they may otherwise not have had the opportunity. For example, providing an educational experience, Councilwoman Valerie Ervin demonstrated her belief in youths by hiring two teenagers to run her campaign (Aratani, 2006). Ms. Ervin gave two high school students an opportunity to experience first hand what is required in getting voters to the polls. Another example, Senator John Vasconcellos, surrounded by teenage supporters, introduced the concept of lowering the voting age to 14 in California during a news conference, supplying an educational exposure to the legislation process. According to Senator John Vasconcellos: “To not let them have a say in what affects their lives seems to me to be not very typically American” (Bailey, 2004). Granted, the proposal encountered with opposition by Senator Ross Johnson (R- Irvine) who stated, “To waste taxpayer money having children cast votes would be ridiculous at any time…” (Bailey, 2004) Also, disagreeing with lowering the voting age in California because the proposal called for counting teenager votes in quarter or half measures, is the president of the Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles, Bob Stern who said, “So you're a quarter person? Or a half? Either you give the vote to them or you do not. I just wonder how big an outcry there is for this" (Bailey, 2004).

In addition, organizations such as Kids Voting USA (KVUSA, 2007) and National Youth Rights Association (NYRA, 2007) have contributed immensely to the current awareness on educational importance and youth activism in Arizona, as well as across the nation. KVUSA and NYRA promote awareness, education, and information on how to become a better citizen by being involved in civics. For instance, KVUSA develops curriculum used currently in schools across the nation to educate students on civics and encourages parents to participate by interacting with their children on political issues (KVUSA, 2007). Also, NYRA recently assisted in defeating a Washington, DC emergency legislation proposing to implement an earlier curfew for teenagers (Clark, 2007). Although this does not directly relate to teenage voting, it does show that NYRA (a youth based organization) is actively participating in communities and educating youths on their rights.

Furthermore, as politicians and organizations promote awareness with voting and actively participating within communities, that the state of Arizona could take advantage of even more educational opportunities. One of these beneficial opportunities is to promote further education for students to begin creating a ‘good’ habit – voting. Engaging students while they are in the “still learning” process will initiate a habit that can be nurtured. According to KVUSA, “This ongoing education [opportunity] develops strong skills and habits for living in a democracy (2007). Preparing teenagers is less challenging than trying to connect with most 18 year olds, who may be more focused on graduating, starting college and possibly moving away from home. This could also be one of the main causes that voter turnout for the age group 18-24 has been very low. Establishing an early voting habit could potentially lead to voting consistency, thereby, increasing voter turnout. Another beneficial opportunity is encouraging parents to discuss politics with students who participate in the Kids Voting USA program. Students study civics in school and will continue learning by discussing at home with parents what they know. Therefore, the voter turnout rate would increase as parents become more responsive and motivated to act upon their civic duty to vote.

Additionally, for certain types of elections, several countries, such as Brazil, Cuba, East Timor, Germany, Israel, Isle of Man, Nicaragua, and Slovenia have lowered their voting age to 16 or 17 (Voting, 2007). Recently, joining these countries in lowering their voting age to 16 is Austria, acknowledged with understanding regarding teenager responsibility in a letter written to NYRA. Austrian ambassador Eva Nowotny writes: “We demand so much responsibility from the younger generation and load so many burdens on their shoulders that we feel it was the right thing to do” (NYRA, 2007).

Many teenagers of America are serious about lowering the voting age. They have taken steps to lobby Councilwomen and Senators to introduce bills in several states, organized exhibits and assist at the election polls. Admittedly, there is skepticism that teenagers are not ready and legislation has proven difficult to pass for lowering the voting age. However, in the state of Arizona legislatures have the ability to enable Arizona and its communities to become the first state to lower the voting age in America. Teachers have the opportunity to engage Arizona’s youth by promoting further educational standards within our schools and help bridge the gap between youth and politicians. The communities of Arizona would strengthen with legislation that allows families to truly encourage the youth to be more active with civic participation. Arizona should lower the voting age and become the first state of America to advocate democracy for all. The voting age in Arizona should be lowered from 18 to 16 because youths have better opportunities to learn about voting, establish early voting habit(s) increasing voter turnout and strengthen the communities they live in.
References

Aratani, L. (2006, November 4). Teens too young to vote blaze a campaign trail; Ervin applauds students' political acumen. The Washington Post. Retrieved July 15, 2007 from ProQuest database.

Armstrong, L. (2006, June 1-7). Youth exhibit activist spirit. New York Amsterdam News. Retrieved July 16, 2007 from ProQuest database.

Bailey, E. (2004, March 9). The State; giving new meaning to 'youth vote'. The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on July 16, 2007 from ProQuest Database.

Boggan, S. (2006, November 6). New law lets teens serve at voting sites: Kids under legal age get civics lesson. The Tribune. Retrieved July 16, 2007 from Access My Library Database.

Broward: Sign up to vote when you sign up to drive. (11, June 2007). CBS News. Retrieved July 7, 2007, from http://cbs4.com/local/local_story_162160313.html

Clark, A. (2007, June 22). Emergency legislation, D.C. Council rejects earlier youth curfew. Washington Post. Pg B04. Retrieved July 11, 2007 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/21/AR2007062101356.html.

Kirby, E., Lopez, M., & Marcelo, K. (2007 June). Youth voter turnout increases in 2006. CIRCLE. Retrieved July 23, 2007 from http://www.civicyouth.org/PopUps/FactSheets/FS07_2006MidtermCPS.pdf.

KVUSA. (2007). About Us. Kids Voting USA. Retrieved on July 10, 2007 from http://www.kidsvotingusa.org/page9592.cfm.

Merrill Ph.D., B. (2000, November). Evaluation of the Kids Voting program in Arizona. Retrieved on July 23, 2007 from http://www.kidsvotingaz.org/new_research.cfm.

NARA: The U.S. National Archives & Records Administration. (2007). Retrieved July 27, 2007 from http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution_amendments_11-27.html.

Nardi, E. (2006, September 27). Students lobby for bill aiding poll work: LAFAYETTE: Teens say schools shouldn't lose money if they miss Classes to work at voting places. Contra Costa Times. Retrieved July 16, 2007 from Access My Library Database.

NYRA. (2007). Lowering the voting age. National Youth Rights Association. Retrieved July 10, 2007 from http://www.youthrights.org/votingage.php.

Voting Age. (2007, July 22). In Wikipedia, The free Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 24, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Voting_age&oldid=146353874.