02/17/2023
HJR 20 VOTE: NO
In CommitteePublic Hearing02/21/2023 1:00pm HR C
Status (overview) of bill:https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Measures/Overview/HJR20
Committee assigned to bill: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Committees/HRULES/Overview
This bill proposes amendment to Oregon Constitution lowering voting age from 18 years of age to 16 years of age.
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 teaching socialism for a give-me mentality without the concept that we pay for redistribution of wealth. Schools 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 in and be a role model to bring along other teens to be informed voters when they reach 18.