By Julia Shumway in Oregon Capital Chronicles. Here is an excerpt:
Devon Lawson-McCourt, a sophomore at McKenzie River Community School in Blue River, has volunteered for political campaigns since fifth grade but is still several years away from being allowed to vote. Lawson-McCourt recently secured a promise from Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Portland, to propose an amendment to the state Constitution giving 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote.
Lawson-McCourt contends that lowering the voting age will result in young people engaging in politics earlier. Young people have long voted at significantly lower rates than older people, though the past few election cycles have seen an increase in youth turnout.
“If students could vote and civic education was promoted from schools, and legislatures actually did their best to work with Gen Z, then we would see a higher voter turnout,” said Lawson-McCourt, who uses they pronouns.
Read the full story here.
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