I’ve only been alive for 17 years, but I’ve lived through a recession, a pandemic and the growth of the internet. Growing up in a fast-paced world with increasing global connectivity and a constant flow of breaking news has shown me the importance of one person.

One person leads to a group, which brings a call to action, which ends in change for the better. Young people have been on the forefront of change, from the Little Rock Nine in 1957 to the Vietnam War protests in the 1960s. Why can’t we have a voice at the ballot box today?

Passing a bill to lower the voting age to 16 for state and local elections by amending the Maine Constitution will bring about greater civic engagement by the youth of Maine. This new demographic of people can bring a more diverse perspective into Maine’s politics and lead to a better Maine for everyone.

One of the biggest concerns about lowering the voting age to a younger demographic is the issue of naivete and general lack of knowledge they could bring to the voting booth. In fact, studies have shown that 16-year-old Americans have a better understanding of civics than their counterparts in their early 20s.

Another common point of contention is the idea that teens think in a brash, snappy manner that doesn’t leave room for real critical thinking — or, worse, that they don’t think at all. However, persons from age 15 and up have fully developed their “cold” thinking skill — a skill that means they can come to well thought out conclusions before acting. On the other hand, “hot” thinking skills — the skill of making decisions under emotional pressure and stress — have not fully developed until their late 20s, far past the legal voting age.

Lastly, don’t parents, friends and teachers coerce teenagers into voting for opinions different from their own? Maybe we’re looking at it the wrong way, maybe the youth aren’t easily “coerced,” but are more open-minded and willing to compromise for change. Even so, studies done in Maryland shut down this point and expand further on the idea of who can be “coerced,” finding that there is little evidence pointing to 16- to 17-year-olds being any more influenced by outside sources than their adult counterparts.

Saying that a person shouldn’t vote because they are open to and susceptible to different points of views and influences would not just exclude the youth from voting, but most voters.

I have developed a strong viewpoint on this issue due to my work with the League of Women Voters Maine. Many young people do not have this same experience. We are often excluded from the conversation. Yet even when we don’t feel we have the power to make a difference, we still have a passion for change.

We have questions we want answered, just like you. We have depth and nuance and struggles, just like you. We work with you under the same laws, and we have grown up with the same hopeful outlook on life. Let us work with you to elect a better future. Working together, seriously and diligently, we can create a better home for our neighbors and families.