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Constitutional Revision Study Documents of the Constitutional Convention Commission, 1968
Volume 138, Page 54   View pdf image (33K)
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SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
and vigor with which young people
traditionally challenge boundless fron-
tiers. . . ."6
"The United States is gradually
growing older. Our birth rate has
declined, and at the same time life
expectancy has increased. One hun-
dred years ago only 4.1 per cent of the
United States population was 60 or
over. Today the figure is about 12 per
cent, and by 1960 it will be over 13
per cent.
... If we wish to preserve our polit-
ical balance, we must counter the in-
fluence of our older citizens — which
will tend to be conservative and
stodgy — by lowering the voting age to
bring in more younger votes."7
"I believe this proposal (S.J. 64)
is amply justified as an attempt to
broaden and extend the base of our
democratic government. Extending
the suffrage to 18-year-olds will
broaden the base of democracy not
only by the number of young people
which it immediately adds to our vot-
ing population; but also by encourag-
ing the participation of these people
at an age when they are enthusiastic
and interested in government and
politics. This will enable us to make
real inroads on voter apathy in the
United States. . . .
"Our young people would be more
than mere passive voters — they could
be a catalytic and informative force
in American politics. They have the
enthusiasm and the idealism of youth;
they are fresh from our schools and
colleges, with a lively interest in poli-
tics and social affairs. And they would
take on their political responsibilities
at a time when they will be more apt
to place the national interest above
those particular interests which they
will later acquire."8

C. Those who are old enough to fight are old enough to vote.

"The United States calls on its
young men to protect their country,
but does not permit them to share any
political responsibility. That is even
more unfair than 'taxation without
representation.' It may be called 'sac-
rifice without representation.'
"Many leading Americans have
told the states that they have a moral
obligation to let those who fight vote.
Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt has said: 'If
young men of 18 or 19 are old enough
to ... fight their country's battles . . .
then they are old enough to take part
6 Statement of former Senator Blair Moody,
supra note 1.
7 Vote at 18? A Pro and Con Discussion:
Should the States Pass Legislation to Lower
the Voting Age to 18? 61 senior scholastic
10 (Sept. 17", 1952).
54
in the political life of their country
and to be full citizens with voting
powers.' General Eisenhower, in his
recent statement, put it bluntly: 'If
a man is old enough to fight, he is old
enough to vote.' "9
"We long have placed our faith for
the fighting of wars in those of your
age group. We have been successful
in war. We excluded you from the
ballot boxes where we elected those to
whom we entrusted peace. We have
failed at maintenance of peace.
"It is time that we tried a full part-
nership between the experience of age
and daring vitality of youth.
8 Statement . ..of former Senator Hubert
Humphrey, supra note 1.
9 Supra note 7 at 9.

 

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Constitutional Revision Study Documents of the Constitutional Convention Commission, 1968
Volume 138, Page 54   View pdf image (33K)
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