Secretary of State Bill Bradbury is attempting to give more rights to 18-year-old Oregonians by proposing House Joint Resolution 16, which would amend the Oregon Constitution and lower the age requirement for service in the Legislature from 21 to 18.
Bradbury said if 18-year-olds can vote and die for their country through service in the armed forces, they should be able to serve in the Legislature. Seventeen states and the District of Columbia already allow 18-year-olds to run for legislative positions.
Bradbury began work on HJR 16 after holding a forum last spring at Portland Community College. A student at the forum asked Bradbury why he could vote but not become a legislator.
Bradbury said he had no idea that the Oregon Constitution restricted the age to 21, and he had always assumed the service age matched the voting age.
“This sends a terrible message to voters,” Bradbury said.
Last week, Bradbury testified before the Rules, Redistricting and Public Affairs Committee, which is reviewing the bill before it goes to the House floor for a vote. To make his point, Bradbury enlisted the assistance of two of the country’s younger elected representatives, Montana Rep. Jesse Laslovich, D-Deer Lodge, and Vermont Rep. Jason Barney, R-Franklin and Highgate.
Barney, who was elected to Vermont’s legislature at the age of 21, said having young legislators will increase voter turnout.
“Young legislators are appealing to voters of all ages,” Barney said. “Anyone who sees a young, appealing candidate will want to vote for them.”
Laslovich, who was elected when he was 19, said he gains respect from his fellow legislators because he’s more in touch with bills dealing with younger issues and because decisions made by the Montana Legislature will affect his future.
“Right now, I’m speaking for my generation when there would otherwise be no representation for it,” Laslovich said. “The decisions we make have a tremendous impact that will affect me when I’m 30 years old.”
Both Barney and Laslovich came to Oregon to speak on behalf of HJR 16 and believe Oregon would greatly benefit from such an amendment to the state’s constitution.
Bradbury said giving young legislators such as Barney and Laslovich the opportunity to run for state seats increases the amount of trust and interest of voters who are between 18 and 34 years old.
In states that allow 18-year-olds to run for the legislature, there was a 5 percent higher voter turnout among the 18-24 year old demographic in the 1996 election, Bradbury said.
“Right now, young people perceive politicians as ‘old folks’ who are out of touch with their issues,” Bradbury said. “Lowering the age limit so that every eligible voter can run for office will show 18- to 21-year-olds that they are important to the political process.”
“Concerns are usually about the maturity level of 18-year-olds,” said Marian Hammond, press secretary for Bradbury. “But it’s important for people to know that just because we would be allowing younger people to run, this wouldn’t mean the Legislature would be overrun by 18-year-olds.”
But Rep. Dan Doyle, R-Salem, who is on the Rules, Redistricting and Public Affairs Committee, said he disagrees with lowering the age limit because those lines are drawn for a reason.
“All age limits for service are legitimate,” Doyle said. “And just because there is a requirement doesn’t mean that younger people can’t serve for other governmental bodies, like city councils and school boards.”
Bradbury said if HJR 16 is passed by voters in the 2002 election, voters will still have the option of voting for who they believe is the most eligible candidate. The resolution has yet to be voted on by the Rules, Redistricting and Public Affairs Committee.
“It’s basic to provide this opportunity to younger people,” Bradbury said. “They still have to convince voters that they are the most worthy candidate.”