Lowering voting age is a good idea

Unfortunately for me, my 18th birthday is five days after the presidential election in November. I very much want to have a say in who becomes our next president. For this reason, I believe that changing the voting age to 17 is something our government should consider.

One reason for my position is that our government is inconsistent in defining when a person becomes an adult. For example, many underage citizens are charged as adults when convicted of a crime. You can even enlist in the military with parental consent. Assuming full responsibility for criminal behavior and ability to risk your life in battle should also qualify a 17-year-old as old enough to have a say in who serves as my judge in court and who our Commander in Chief will be.

Another reason is our high schools do a very good job in engaging their 17-year-old students in the election process. Often times I have been better informed on candidate platforms than my parents. On more than one occasion, I have been able to direct my parents to resources that better prepared them for the primary. I cannot help but wonder how they would have chosen a candidate without the information I presented them, yet I am unable to vote myself.

Some might say that there would be a large percentage of 17-year-olds who would not care about who becomes our next president, and I say to them there is a large percentage of adults who also do not care. I think in those cases they would not bother to vote and the process would not be affected by those individuals. I think the value added to the voting process of having those 17-year-olds who are informed and wanting to have their voice heard is worth giving this proposal serious consideration.

Alex Koroknay-Palicz, who is the executive director of the National Youth Rights Association, commented on this issue to the New York Times and made an interesting point by saying, "At that age (17), generally, you are still living at home going to high school. You have roots in a community and connection to school, friends and family. By age 18, people are starting college or seeking jobs and voting likely isn't their top priority." I completely agree with him.

The four years following high school graduation seem to mold who a person becomes. What opportunities are available are impacted by the decisions our government officials make during that time period. Having a say in who makes those decisions seems like a right every 17-year-old United States citizen should be able to make.

Stephanie Gryszkowski

Mundelein High School junior,

Mundelein