Evening star., 1961-04-15
D. c. Votinq Ace


has the right to decide that
all citizens shall receive the
right to vote at any one set
age. Obviously, there are
many persons who are neither
mentally able or socially re-
sponsible to exercise intelli-
gently the right and privilege
to vote at 18. Again, many
such persons are not even
ready for this right at 81.
On the other hand many
young people, at 18, are fully
aware of political issues and
familiar with our govern
mental system.
I suggest a possible system
for deciding for each individ-
q ual at what age he or she
should receive this inalienable
right. Each prospective voter
under a set age should be re-
quired to fill in a question
naire dealing with his or her
financial status, marital
status, degree of independ-
ence, and other pertinent
facts. For instance, many
young people, at 18, live at
home and are supported by
their parents, while many
others live Independently and
are self-supporting at the
same age. Therefore, both
should not be judged on the
same basis concerning the
right to vote. The question:
naire would be sent to a CEN
trail office where it, and the
individuals previous records,
would be studied by a COM
mission which would in turn
decide the competence and
eligibility of each individ-
ual. Anyone, once he has ap-
piled for the vote, would be
required to make out a new
QUESTIONABLE during each
election year until he or she
reached the specified age.
Then, he would be eligible
for the vote on the same
basis as other citizens.
This would be one fair way
of deciding the problem of
when to give our youth the
vote. Even though it might
take a little more time, such
an effort would be most eff
fective in keeping this sacred
right out of irresponsible
hands, and in those hands
which are able to use it
wisely.
Arthur w. Snead, jr.
- =
Now that the District has
received the vote for the
presidency, a controversy has
arisen over the minimum
voting age. The two ages
that are being discussed are
18 and 81.
Twenty-one is the better
age. Many dictators, such as
Hitler and Mussolini, came
into power with the support
of a militant youth move
ment which they were able
to manipulate. Youth is more
easily aroused by blind ia
naticism. All dictators know
this and are very careful to
make the indoctrination of
young people one of their
chief goals. In this way a
dictator could also come into
power in America. Although
a 21-year-old is not much
older than an 18-year-old,
in three years a person can
become more mature, more
sensible, and better informed
on the issues and candidates.
Roxane ScharTy.
The age for voting in
Washington, should be 18.
Voting now is much different
from voting 20 years ago.
Now, all have a much better
chance to learn more about
the candidates by watching
television and reading news
papers that are up-to-date
on the election happenings.
Before television, people who
wanted to get a good back
ground of the candidates did
so by reading. This reading
took the intelligence of peo-
pie over 81, $50 the laws in
most States said) so only
they could vote. Today people
have only to turn on TV or
pick up a good newspaper and
listen to or read short con-
else statements on the candi-
dates, which makes it rather
easy to choose the best man.
This doesn't take much in
telligence. Therefore, people
under 81 know as much as
the next citizen about the
candidates and should be
qualified to pick the man Of
their choice.
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