Mich. senator: let 16-year-olds vote in school elections

There's a good idea: give the little dummies who've been indoctrinated by their teachers a vote.

Nice idea, but they aren't adults... sorry.

This must be promoted by the teachers union. Let the teachers tell them how to vote, and then send them down the hall to do it.
There is a reason the minimum voting age is 18, and I think 21 in some states.

I agree with all the above posts. Sixteen year olds are not adults, they can be easily swayed to vote a certain way. I can just imagine what might eventually happen.....all the board members would slowly be replaced with hip thinkings, people who were trouble makers in school themselves, people who would vote to replace all the current textbooks with the latest fad, people who would fire the good *strong* teachers, and replace them with easy graders. Get the idea? Its just not wise to allow a child a vote in this manner. Our childrens school does have a mock election for governor races, local representatives, and for the presidential race. The children enjoy voting, tallying the votes by classroom, grade, etc. and keeping track of the real results on television.

Well it just shows how smart adults are with some of these posts "minimum voting age is 18, and I think 21 in some states." Voting age is 18 across this great nation, not 21. You have to be 21 to buy your budweisers and colt 45's there jim-bo, not vote. In some cases, students can already vote in their local elections, with most seniors in high school being 18 years old. This is a good idea, but in the end it will not change much, as I don't see many 16 and 17 year olds caring enough about the local school board election to go vote.

Another reason why we need a part-time legislature. Michigan is in a state of high unemployment, high gas prices, mortgage forclosures, and this House Rep comes up with this silly idea.

How about introducing legislation is get rid of
life time health benefits for lawmakers. Who gets life time health care after only working for SIX years. Let's cut the 27% pay hike from 2001.

We have the highest unemployment in the nation and the SECOND highest paid legislators.

What a joke in Lansing.

Um.. what?... Seriously? I think we should allow voting rights for children in the womb....Voting Womb to Tomb. A great Michigan Slogan, Michigan will certainly turnaround now. Whomever came up with this load of crap should be run out on a rail.

In my opinion, If State Senator Michael Switalski D-Roseville had any moral character, he would introduce a constitional admendment to end life time lawmaker health care for the current legislators and in the future.

Just think of the savings to taxpayers if we did not have to pay for life time health care for someone who only worked for SIX years!

What is the senator doing to bring jobs to Michigan? For 79,000 a year with a 20,000 dollar expense account, I expect better from Lansing.

He is just another Andy Coulouris Rep for the 95th district that voted to RAISE your personal income tax. If you need gas money, e-mail
Andy.

Sorry, but until they are tax payers(property), no way. There are plenty of stupid adults who can be 'swayed', but at least they pay taxes.

Now when are they going to start working on the next budget, instead of coming up with frivolous bills like this? Time for the legislature to get to work and quit messing around.

Your right Gentle Taz! We are looking at another tough budget for next year.
Last year State Rep Ken Horn R-Frankenmuth, introduced his "Two Penny" plan. It reduces budgets by two cents for every dollar budgeted.
It would have been a start to make Lansing live within its means. However; most lawmakers,like
Andy Coulouris of the 95th district felt that just
taking more out of your paycheck was a quick and easy answer.
Lansing needs to live within its means like you and I. Lansing needs to roll back its spending
and stop creating high paying jobs for ex-lawmakers.

Joanie wrote:

Sorry, but until they are tax payers(property), no way. There are plenty of stupid adults who can be 'swayed', but at least they pay taxes.

Hoo boy....AMEN, Joanie! You stated it simply and perfectly!

Yet another ploy to divert our attention from the REAL problems--our elected officials, policy, etc. Not whether or not children should vote in school elections. Stupid--just stupid.

taxpayer wrote:

Your right Gentle Taz! We are looking at another tough budget for next year.
Last year State Rep Ken Horn R-Frankenmuth, introduced his "Two Penny" plan. It reduces budgets by two cents for every dollar budgeted.
It would have been a start to make Lansing live within its means. However; most lawmakers,like
Andy Coulouris of the 95th district felt that just
taking more out of your paycheck was a quick and easy answer.
Lansing needs to live within its means like you and I. Lansing needs to roll back its spending
and stop creating high paying jobs for ex-lawmakers.

You are quite correct--yesterday I was #60 to vote at 3:45 pm at my precinct. Pretty sad turnout. Even most adults don't care much about school board elections!

DTab wrote:

Well it just shows how smart adults are with some of these posts "minimum voting age is 18, and I think 21 in some states." Voting age is 18 across this great nation, not 21. You have to be 21 to buy your budweisers and colt 45's there jim-bo, not vote. In some cases, students can already vote in their local elections, with most seniors in high school being 18 years old. This is a good idea, but in the end it will not change much, as I don't see many 16 and 17 year olds caring enough about the local school board election to go vote.

We should let all teenagers vote while they still know everythin.