Home / Recent Bills / Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States extending the right to vote to citizens sixteen years of age or older.
HOUSE · HJRES 16119 CONGRESS
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States extending the right to vote to citizens sixteen years of age or older.
A joint resolution goes through the same process as a bill and carries the same legal
force once signed. One exception: a joint resolution proposing a constitutional
amendment is not presented to the President — it needs a two-thirds vote in
both chambers and then ratification by three-quarters of the states.
Bill vs. resolution, explained →
Summary
H.J. Res. 16 is a joint resolution introduced in the House of Representatives on January 9, 2025, proposing a constitutional amendment to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 for all federal, state, and local elections. The resolution seeks to repeal the 26th Amendment, which currently guarantees the right to vote to citizens aged eighteen or older, and replace it with a new constitutional provision that extends suffrage to citizens who are sixteen years of age or older. The amendment would include an enforcement clause granting Congress the power to implement the change through appropriate legislation. As a constitutional amendment, this joint resolution does not go to the President for signature; instead, it requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, followed by ratification by three-fourths (38 out of 50) of state legislatures within seven years of its submission. The sponsors argue that sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds are sufficiently mature, informed, and affected by government policies—particularly on issues like climate change, education, gun violence, and economic policy—to deserve a voice in democracy. They contend that lowering the voting age would increase civic engagement, strengthen democratic participation, and address the issue of taxation without representation for young people who work and pay taxes. Critics argue that sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds lack the life experience, judgment, and civic knowledge necessary for responsible voting, and that the change could be influenced by partisan motives, given that younger voters tend to lean Democratic. The resolution reflects ongoing debates about youth rights, civic education, and the evolving definition of suffrage in American democracy.
Ask This Bill
Ask a specific question about this bill’s actual text — answers cite the section they come from.
+Expands democracy and inclusion by giving voice to a demographic significantly impacted by policy decisions on climate change, education, gun violence, and economic opportunity.
+Addresses the injustice of 'taxation without representation' for young people who work and pay taxes but cannot vote.
+Promotes civic engagement and lifelong voting habits by engaging youth earlier in the democratic process.
+Strengthens the representativeness of elected officials by broadening the electorate to include those most affected by long-term policy consequences.
+Aligns with international trends, as several countries and localities have successfully lowered the voting age to 16 for certain elections.
MIGHT OPPOSE
−May risk lower informed voting rates if civic education is not adequately strengthened alongside the change.
−Could face legal and logistical challenges in implementation, including voter registration systems and ballot access for minors.
−Might not significantly increase turnout if young people remain disengaged despite eligibility.
−Could be perceived as undermining the value of voting rights if not accompanied by robust civic education.
−Raises concerns about parental influence or coercion in the voting decisions of minors still living at home.
Republicans
MIGHT SUPPORT
+Encourages early civic engagement and habit formation, which could lead to lifelong voter participation.
+Empowers young people who are working, paying taxes, and serving in the military to have a say in government decisions that affect them.
+Aligns with the principle that those affected by laws should have a voice in shaping them, enhancing democratic legitimacy.
+May increase overall voter turnout over time by instilling voting habits earlier in life.
+Encourages schools and communities to strengthen civic education programs to prepare young voters.
MIGHT OPPOSE
−Sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds generally lack the life experience, emotional maturity, and judgment needed for complex political decisions.
−Young voters are more susceptible to peer influence, propaganda, and partisan bias, potentially undermining informed voting.
−Could lead to policies that prioritize short-term, emotionally driven issues over long-term fiscal and national security considerations.
−May be seen as a partisan attempt to increase Democratic voter rolls, given that younger voters tend to lean left.
−Raises questions about consistency—if 16-year-olds can vote, should they also be eligible for jury duty, military conscription without parental consent, or other adult responsibilities?
![Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m001188_200.jpg)