Lower the Voting Age to 16 in DC

Members of the DC City Council and Mayor Muriel Bowser

We know that DC is at its best when more people vote, and lowering the voting age will help young people become lifelong voters. Voting is a habit and 16 is a better time than 18 to establish it.


We know that young people in DC are affected by the decisions elected leaders make every day, from education policy to transportation, gentrification, public safety, economic opportunity, and so much more. Lowering the voting age will ensure that elected officials listen to young people and address their concerns.


And we know that 16- and 17-year-olds in DC are ready and eager to vote. They work, pay taxes, and care for family members. Research shows that they are just as ready to vote as older young adults.


Lowering the voting age to 16 is a policy change that works. It has been implemented in multiple cities in Maryland and countries around the world, and 16- and 17-year-olds consistently show up to vote at higher rates than older age groups.


Add your name to show your support for Vote16DC! If you are a student, comment with your age and the ward you live in to make your signature even more powerful.


Vote16DC is a coalition of DC youth, adult allies, and organizations in the community that supports granting voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds in the District by passing the Youth Vote Amendment Act of 2018.

Petition by
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Pawtucket, Rhode Island

To: Members of the DC City Council and Mayor Muriel Bowser
From: [Your Name]

Please join me in supporting the Youth Vote Amendment Act of 2018. This bill will help young people in DC establish the habit of voting and become lifelong voters, will ensure that DC policy reflects the needs of young people in the District, and will create a more representative and robust democracy on the local level.