Opinion

16-year-old voters?

Posted September 04, 2019 1:00 am

After reading Jim Ewart's view in the Aug. 24 Daily Herald, I wondered how he thought any 16-year-old could possibly be a knowledgeable voter. No matter how intelligent a 16-year-old might be, he/she lacks the life experiences to make an intelligent decision when it comes to electing anyone who makes the very important decisions as to how our country will be run.

A 16-year-old has never owned property, paid household bills, had a job (at least not one that supports a household and/or family), paid taxes (income or real estate) nor had so many more of the responsibilities that adults have. As a matter of fact, many, if not most, 21-year-olds haven't either and it is becoming quite evident by the results of some elections.

While education is important, life teaches us more than we can learn in the classroom. Education gives us the means to be able to go out on our own, experience life and make informed decisions as a voter. Voting is far too important to leave it in the hands of inexperienced 16-year-olds.

Janet Lumm

Schaumburg

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