Voting has seen a lot of changes throughout the years, from only white landowners being able to vote to anyone who is a citizen. But, has the evolution of voting come to a complete stop?

According to The Hill, over 75% of registered voters are opposed to allowing 17-year-olds to vote, and an even bigger 84% are opposed to 16-year-olds having the right to vote. In Logansport, the numbers are only 2,053  out of 8,765, which is the low percentage of 23.42%. The main argument people make is that the people of Logansport are uneducated. However, the same could be said about any group of people.

“Our country has evolved in voting rights,” Language Arts teacher Terri Jewell said. “Does every one of the voting age and the legal ability to vote have the same opportunity to vote as everyone else in this country? If yes, then our voting evolution is done. If not, then we have further to go.”

Campaign assistant Noah Buttitta, who works with Brad Chambers for Governor, believes that the voting age should not be lowered.

“The progression young individuals make from freshman year to senior year is immense,” Buttitta said. “Most young individuals aren’t as knowledgeable and experienced in politics to cast well-informed votes. I believe it’s important to possess the combination of experience and research to back up why you’re voting a certain way or support a certain candidate.”

Likewise, Jewell believes that just because a teenager may pay taxes that it does not mean they should be able to vote. 

“Most people who work at age 16 do not make enough money to pay much in taxes for one,” Jewell said. “For two, for many, this is a choice to work or not. It is a choice with the knowledge that you will pay taxes. Also, should everyone who pays taxes get to vote? Should people from foreign countries who earn money here, people who have a felony offense, age 14, etc?”