HB 3206 Permits 16-year-olds to vote in school district elections

02/17/2023
VOTE:NO – Died In Committee
Status (overview) of bill:https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Measures/Overview/HB3206
Committee assigned to bill: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Committees/HRULES/Overview

This bill permits individual who is 16 or older and registered to vote to cast ballot in school district elections.

Some findings indicate that 16 and 17-year-old have enough interest in politics that their voting decisions are similar to older voters. However, do they have political maturity? Until a teen gets out into the world with adult responsibilities and consequences, do they really have the maturity to make adult decisions. Our juvenile court system is an indication that the answer is no. Should they be allowed to vote on criminal issues when 90% of children lie and at least it decreases to 60% as adults. Do you want a 16-year-old to vote on how adults will be taxed, and how that money is spent? Schools today are confusing kids on their identity so they don’t even know who they are, which is delaying the maturity factor for many.

Until we get Oregon out of the bottom ranked schools in the nation, we shouldn’t be having this conversation. For the few that are politically savvy, there are volunteer opportunities to be involved and be a role model to bring along other teens to be informed voters when they reach 18.