As an expert in political science and local elections, I have closely followed the unique voting age in Denver, CO. As the capital and most populous city in Colorado, Denver plays a significant role in the state's political landscape. With a diverse population and a thriving economy, the city is a hub for political activity and has a unique voting age compared to other cities in the United States.
The Voting Age in Denver, CO
In the United States, the voting age is typically 18 years old. However, in Denver, CO, the voting age is 16 years old for local elections.This means that 16 and 17-year-olds are eligible to vote in municipal elections, such as city council and school board races. This unique voting age was established in 2019 when Denver voters approved a ballot measure to lower the voting age for local elections. The measure passed with 55% of the vote, making Denver the first major city in the United States to lower the voting age to 16.
The Impact of Lowering the Voting Age
The decision to lower the voting age in Denver has sparked both support and criticism. Proponents argue that 16 and 17-year-olds are affected by local policies and should have a say in who represents them. They also believe that lowering the voting age will increase civic engagement among young people and create a more inclusive democracy. On the other hand, opponents argue that 16 and 17-year-olds are not mature enough to make informed decisions and that their votes could be influenced by their parents or teachers.They also question whether lowering the voting age will actually increase voter turnout among young people. Despite these differing opinions, one thing is clear – lowering the voting age has had an impact on local elections in Denver.
Elections in Denver, CO
Denver holds municipal elections every two years, with the next election scheduled for November 2021. These elections include races for mayor, city council, school board, and other local positions. Since the voting age was lowered to 16, there has been a noticeable increase in voter turnout among young people in Denver. In the 2019 municipal election, 16 and 17-year-olds made up 3% of the total votes cast. While this may seem like a small percentage, it is significant considering that this age group was not eligible to vote in previous elections. Additionally, the candidates who were elected in the 2019 election received a significant number of votes from 16 and 17-year-olds. This shows that young people are actively participating in the political process and their votes are making a difference.The Future of Lowering the Voting Age
The success of lowering the voting age in Denver has sparked discussions in other cities and states about potentially doing the same.Some cities, such as San Francisco and Washington D. C., have already taken steps to lower the voting age for local elections. However, there are also challenges to implementing this change on a larger scale. The voting age is determined by state laws, so any changes would have to be made at the state level. Additionally, there are concerns about the logistics of registering and educating 16 and 17-year-old voters. Despite these challenges, the impact of lowering the voting age in Denver has been positive and has shown that young people are capable of being engaged and informed voters.
In Conclusion
The voting age in Denver, CO is 16 years old for local elections.This unique decision has sparked both support and criticism but has ultimately led to an increase in voter turnout among young people. As Denver continues to hold local elections every two years, it will be interesting to see the long-term effects of lowering the voting age and whether other cities and states will follow suit.
