As the younger generation demands a voice in the political process, activists in San Francisco have risen to the call with a ballot proposal that would give 16-year-olds the chance to vote.

Proposition G, as it is formally known, will be voted on this coming November and if passed will mark San Francisco as the first major metropolitan to lower the voting age to 16.  

“I think [the new proposition] really shows how the younger people really want more of a voice and are trying to be more politically active and make a difference,” said Owen Clevenger (‘21). 

VOTE16, as it is informally referred to, is part of a growing trend to further expand suffrage to the younger generation.

In the past 2 years, we have seen well-known politicians like Presidential candidate Andrew Yang and Representative Eric Swalwell, openly support lowering the voting age. 

As the VOTE16 movement continues to gain ground it has received a wide range of support from organizations and elected officials alike.

Some supporters include the American Civil Liberties Union of California, State Senator Scott Wiener, and San Francisco Mayor London Breed. 

In 2016 a measure of the same nature was narrowly defeated after falling just shy with 48% of the vote.

The tone is optimistic this time around, hoping that amidst the current political climate, voters will be more open to letting the younger generation participate in the political process. 

The organizers of VOTE16 have cited a multitude of reasons for the necessity of passing the proposal. They see the early voting age as a path to cementing voting as a habit amongst the younger generation and a way to strengthen civic education specifically amongst students. 

Beneath the Surface: The History Behind Protesting Voting Age

Music Credits: Wave by Pictures of the Floating World from the Free Music Archive (CC by NC-SA)

“I really think that Vote 16 will help youth of color in San Francisco establish the habit of voting at an earlier age, and really provide them with the support and the resources that they need to continue building on that habit as they grow older,” Crystal Chan told NBC News.  

Despite people voicing their support, many are not sold on the idea of lowering the voting age to such an extent. 

“I think it is concerning how teenagers are easily swayed by social media and I think that there’s a chance voters will be uneducated and that they may just follow the views of what is in their social media feed which could be biased,” said Devon Kost (‘21).    

As the date of the final vote draws closer and closer, the weight of civic responsibility and voting has been thrust into the spotlight. With San Francisco attempting to forge a radical path for expanded suffrage it is only fitting that it shall meet its final resolution at the ballot box.