Lower the voting age to 16 in Columbia state elections
- Sponsor
- Columbia Youth Vote Alliance
- Delivered to
- State Assembly Columbia District 12
- Deadline
- Dec 1, 2026
127,431 signatures of 100,000 goal
Threshold reached
Marker shows the 100,000-signature threshold for delivery.
Full petition text
We petition the Columbia State Assembly to pass legislation extending the right to vote in state and local elections to residents aged 16 and 17. Sixteen-year-olds in Columbia may work, pay state income tax, and drive. Jurisdictions that have lowered the voting age report higher lifelong turnout, because a first vote cast while still in school and living at home is far more likely to become a habit.
Why this matters
People who cast their first ballot at 16, while still in school and supported by family, keep voting for the rest of their lives. Waiting until 18 — often the year someone moves away for work or college — is the worst possible moment to start.
Recent signatures
- Andre K. — Ward 72 hours ago
- Ruth P. — Ward 75 hours ago
- Andre T. — Ward 78 hours ago
- Maria T. — Ward 611 hours ago
- Owen T. — Ward 614 hours ago
- Andre S. — Ward 617 hours ago