Choosing your candidate, registering, going to an election poll and casting your vote are the steps taken when using your right to vote. While turning eighteen is a gateway to more freedom for teenagers, many forget the responsibility that comes with that age — specifically taking part in our democracy by voting.

Throughout history, suffrage (the right to vote) has been something that many people, including women and African-Americans, have fought for. “Since suffragists fought so hard for women to vote we should honor them and vote,” said senior Diana Davis. The 26th Amendment, passed by Congress March 1971, lowered the voting age from 18 from 21. This was based on the simple fact that if one can fight for their country at 18 then they should be able to vote as well.

Although the voting age has been 18 for 41 years now, some SJHS upperclassmen think it should be 21 again. “At 18 you don’t have enough maturity and life responsibilities to vote,” said senior Keisha Toussaint. According to www.civicyouth.org, 51% of youth ages 18-29 voted in the 2008 presidential election. Some may think voting is too big a decision to make at such a young age.

Along with making a big decision such as voting, 18 year olds sometimes don’t know their politics. “I’m not voting because I don’t really know anything” said senior Emely Torres. And she adds agreeing with Keisha, “The age 18 is too young. At 21 you have more life experiences and are more aware.”

Surprisingly a lot of SJHS’s underage voters have very opposite opinions. Rather than raising the voting age to 21, they want it to be lowered to 16. “Age doesn’t determine your maturity and whether or not you can make an informed decision,” said junior Mandisa Shields. Many share her feelings. Lowering the voting to 16 is something some states like California and Massachusetts are considering.

When 18-year-olds don’t use their right to vote it makes underaged voters envious. “I find myself more educated on politics than people who can vote,” said senior Catherine Powlett, 17.

Students argue that 16 is the perfect age because it’s an age where you are more aware of the problems in society and get a sense of which political party you stand with. “As long as you’re aware of the issues and can make an effective decision you should be able to vote despite your age,” said sophomore Briana Maddox-Miller.

Whether the voting age is 21, 18 or 16, one thing is always clear and that’s the importance of voting. Voting is a way for all of our voices to be heard in this democracy. So what will you do with your right to vote? Make a change or sit by and let it happen? The decision is up to you.