(2) Voting Age: Should it be lowered?

[First round is for stating your position or premises you'll be defending and clarifying anything you think needs it]

Position/Premise(s): I do not think the voting age should be lowered. I do not think 16 or 17 year olds should have the right to vote because typically have lower interest in politics (which makes them apathetic towards issues and reduces their voting effectiveness), Less political knowledge, And lack of experience (which on average is the main factor for changing people's minds on issues).

Clarification: To lower the voting age to 16 would require a Constitutional Amendment approval from 2/3 of both houses and Congress and 3/4 of the 38 states of state legislatures. Some cities in California and Maryland allow 16 year olds to vote in local elections.

I am open to getting my mind changed. I hope to have a discussion with someone who has rational reasons and logic and evidence to support their position. I will post my arguments/rebuttals on rounds 2-5.

According to social scientists Tak Wing Chan and Matthew Clayton, 16 and 17 year olds would not be competent voters. Quote, "research in neuroscience suggests that the brain, Specifically the prefrontal cortex, Is still undergoing major reconstruction and development during the teenage years, " and added that the prefrontal cortex is what "enables us to weigh dilemmas, Balance trade-offs and, In short, Make reasonable decisions in politics. " And not to mention citizens under 18 are under different contract, Labor, And criminal responsibility laws. They aren't allowed to join the military without parental consent. They can't serve on a jury.

Ages between 18-29 don't really have interest in voting anyways until their later years. Only 12. 5% of 18 year olds participated in the 2014 midterm election, Even though the general population was 42%. According to the United States Elections Project's analysis of U. S. Census Bureau data, There were only 16% of eligible voters 18-29 years old voted in the 2014 election. Even though ages 30-44 was 30%. Ages 45-49 was 43%. Ages 60 and up were 55%. Over the last 3 decades, 18-29 year olds participating in voting for elections never exceeded 21% in a midterm election. In the 2016 presidential election, 18-29 ages voted were 43%, Ages 30-44 were 57%, Ages 45-59 were 66%, And 60 plus were 71%.

Only 23% of students scored above the "proficient" level on the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress test of civics knowledge and skills. 16 or 17 year olds are typically the least politically uninformed or misinformed, Least politically experienced, Least mature or competent in making long-term judgments that are realistic.

I have nothing to rebuttal.