Oregon legislators float plan to lower voting age to 16, stiff opposition likely

Sixteen-year-olds could vote in Oregon, under a plan unveiled Monday. 

Several state lawmakers are introducing a bill that would ask voters to amend the Oregon Constitution to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 years old. 

If the bill passes, the question would go to voters in the 2020 general election. The proposal would make Oregon the first in the nation to lower the statewide voting age to 16 years old. 

Legislators backing the bill, including Sen. Shemia Fagan, D-Portland, held a press conference with high school students Monday at the Capitol to announce the legislation. 

Fagan said 16- and 17-year-olds are affected by life-and-death issues that impact their future, a point driven home by the 2018 Parkland shooting at a Florida high school. 

"Sixteen-year-olds are subject to our criminal justice system," Fagan said. "They are couch surfing with friends while their families experience homelessness and they're begging us to take action to protect their future."

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The bill is backed by The Bus Project, a nonprofit organization that encourages volunteer civic activism in Oregon. 

Students who spoke at the event said they want to vote on Election Day after advocating for policy changes. 

"We need to be able to take our work to the ballot and protect the policies we’re working so hard to pass, and we deserve to have a voice,” said Maria “Luly” Torres, a 17-year-old senior at South Salem High School. 

Deb Royal, chief of staff for Secretary of State Dennis Richardson, said the office isn't taking a position on lowering the voting age because it's an issue that voters would ultimately determine if the bill passes. 

The minimum voting age dropped in 1971. The 26th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution lowered the minimum age from 21 to 18 years old, after Congress faced pressure to reduce the voting age in response to young draftees dying in combat during the Vietnam conflict.

The bill sponsors want 16-year-olds to cast ballots in all elections, including federal-level offices. But It's unclear if the proposal could legally reach beyond state and local elections to change how federal candidates are elected. 

Thirteen other states, including Washington, have introduced bills since 2003 to lower the voting age, some for just school board elections and some for all state elections.

None have passed. 

There also have been efforts on the local level for city elections. Two Maryland cities, Takoma Park and Hayattesville, have lowered their voting age with a city council vote. 

Fourteen other states, including Oregon, allow 16-year-olds to pre-register to vote so they will be added to the voter rolls when they turn 18, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

You can reach Ben at bbotkin@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6687 or follow him on Twitter @BenBotkin1