Nonprofit Wants Illinois' Voting Age To Be 16 For Local Elections

SPRINGFIELD, IL — A nonprofit is pushing for Illinois legislators to lower the state's voting age to 16 for local elections. According to Daily Journal, Vote 16 Illinois, the local chapter of Vote 16 USA, is working with state lawmakers to discuss getting voting rights for 16-year-olds as national chapter representatives say voting at that age sets the tone for future civic participation.

However, letting 16-year-olds vote would mean the Illinois Constitution would have to be changed in order to allow cities and towns to make that decision.

The last time this happened was in 1988 when the voting age was lowered via referendum from 21 to 18, Daily Journal reports.

“Young people who are working and paying taxes are definitely aware of that fact,” Brandon Klugman, with Vote 16’s national chapter, told Daily Journal. “Each age line should be set at what makes the most sense in that particular behavior and that particular activity."

On its website, Vote 16 Illinois describes itself as "A chapter of a nationwide, non-partisan organization to extend suffrage to sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds in municipal elections to cultivate lifetime civic participation among a new generation of Americans."

The Daily Journal said 18 would still be the age limit for elections with federal outcomes.

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