By Eric Funderburg, guest writer
Wisconsin has a gaping black hole in teen voting policy. The issue is not only a Wisconsin issue, but a national issue. Many seventeen-year-olds will be eighteen by the time of the election. However, at the time of the primaries, they are not eligible to vote. So if they cannot affect who is on the ballot, why would they vote in the general election if their candidate of choice is not on there?
Do not fret young voters because according to Fairvote, a site dedicated to changing voting laws, twenty-three states allow voting at seventeen years of age, so long as you are eighteen by the time of election (only in Democratic primaries though). The Sander’s campaign has also made a push for this law to become a national law, as his campaign is largely fueled by the younger generation. The Republican party, not being as progressive as Democrats, have fewer states (eighteen) in which seventeen year olds can vote in the primaries. Voting is a process
designed to be as close to fair as possible, but in all reality it really is not until obvious problems such as this one are addressed.
A change in national legislation would be needed in order to properly change these laws. Many states would be too stubborn to change policy, or make it even worse just because the other side wants change. An easy way would be to send the idea to Paul Ryan, our representative in the House. Despite being Republican, he is often rather open-minded. So submitting ideas to a local congressman is often a good idea if change is wanted. Social media is also a very powerful way to get your voice heard. Starting a petition or a virtual petition to have a law changed is a good way to spread your idea. But the issue remains and something has to be done about it. Get out and be an active member of society!