CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Democratic Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky is helping to lead an effort to lower the voting age in federal elections from 18-years old to 16-years old.
9th District Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky said young people are leading the charge on issues like climate change and racial justice. They can be treated as adults by the criminal courts. Schakowsky said she, Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, and New York colleague Grace Meng believe teenagers should be able to vote at 16.
"They are often caregivers in their own homes these days, so I think given the responsibilities of teenagers and their awareness of so many issues that affect their lives and their future that younger people should be included," Schakowsky said.
The 9th District Democrat knows there may be resistance from some Republicans, who’ve have been trying to limit ballot access in different parts of the country.
"I don't expect that we are going to get maybe any Republicans supporting HR1 because what we are doing with that piece of legislation is establishing voting rights, the opposite of what they are doing right now - multiple bills across the country," she said.
She said Democrats are trying to expand voters' rights, while Republicans across the country are trying to restrict them.
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