(The Center Square) – Sixteen-year-olds in Ohio would be allowed to vote in nonfederal elections under a proposed constitutional amendment that would lower the state’s legal voting age of 18.
“Democracy is at its strongest when we encourage lifelong habits of civic engagement,” said Rep. Chris Glassburn, D-North Olmsted, one of the sponsors of the legislation. “Sixteen-year-olds are contributing members of society, and their perspectives deserve representation. Empowering them to participate in elections fosters responsibility and ensures their interests are reflected in the decisions that will shape their future.”
Only about 32% of 18-year-olds in the state are registered to vote, according to Glassburn.
If the Legislature passes House Joint Resolution 8, state voters could decide the issue in the next general election, Nov. 3, according to the sponsors. A proposed constitutional amendment would change 18 to 16 in Article 5 of the state constitution to read: “Only a citizen of the United States, of the age of sixteen years, who has been a resident of the state, county, township, or ward, such time as may be provided by law, and has been registered to vote for thirty days, has the qualifications of an elector, and is entitled to vote at all elections.”
The minimum voting age for Ohio and federal elections is 18.
“Although the federal voting age is 18, 21 states and Washington, D.C., allow those who are 17, but will be 18 by the general election, to vote in primaries,” the National Conference of State Legislatures said on its website.
If the Ohio proposal is enacted, 16-year-olds would receive a separate, different ballot excluding federal races.
Ohio’s Republican House majority declined to comment on the proposal to lower the state’s voting age.
“After reviewing further, we don’t comment on newly introduced legislation,” Olivia Wile, House majority press secretary, told The Center Square.
The nonprofit group Common Cause has previously favored lowering the voting age.
“Sixteen- and 17-year-olds are able to drive a car, hold employment, pay taxes and represent the next generation of leaders,” the organization says on its website. “They have ignited social movements, but they are often ignored and unable to leverage their political power because they do not have the ability to vote.”
