Why should teens vote?
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Mental Capability
City's impact on teens
Education
We are ready!
Research indicates that the cognitive ability used for reasoning, information processing, and voting—known as cold cognition—reaches full maturity by age 16 and show no significant improvement beyond that point.
Statistically, teens perform as well as, if not better than, adults on civic education tests. Moreover, lowering the voting age would help establish lifelong voting habits at an early age.
Many city decisions significantly impact teens. For instance, legislation on wages, infrastructure, taxes, environmental initiatives, etc. can affect teens just as much as they do adults.
After serving on the Mayor's Youth Advisory Board and hearing innovative ideas from our peers on how to improve our city, we’ve witnessed firsthand that teens are well-informed and contribute valuable insights.
Become a Vote16Oregon Youth Ambassador: Empower youth voices in Oregon!
Are you passionate about civic engagement and making a difference in your community? Do you believe that young people deserve a say in the decisions that affect their lives? Apply to become a Vote16OR Youth Ambassador and join a statewide movement dedicated to amplifying youth voices and increasing youth involvement in the political process!
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As a Vote16OR Youth Ambassador, you will play a key role in advocating for lowering the voting age in school board and city elections, ensuring that youth voices are heard in civic discussions, and building a more equitable future. You’ll have the opportunity to:
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Promote Civic Engagement: Raise awareness about the importance of youth involvement in the political process through school presentations, community events, and social media campaigns.
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Lead Advocacy Efforts: Organize advocacy efforts, petitions, and events to mobilize youth and engage local policymakers in support of youth voting rights.
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Engage in Policy Research: Conduct research on voting rights, civic education, and related policies, helping to develop resources that support our movement.
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Serve as a Spokesperson: Represent Vote16OR at local and state events, speaking about the importance of youth voices in government and decision-making.
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Collaborate and Lead: Work closely with the Vote16OR team, share strategies, plan events, and mentor new Youth Ambassadors as we expand our outreach.
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Make an Impact: Help shape the future of youth advocacy in Oregon and empower your peers to take an active role in their communities.
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Join us to drive change, promote equity, and be a part of the movement that gives youth a voice in Oregon’s political process. Apply now to become a Vote16OR Youth Ambassador and help make history!
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Fill out the Google Form below to apply now! Together, we can ensure that youth voices are heard and represented.