Dear Vermont Senators Chittenden, Sirotkin, and Lyons – I write to encourage you to vote AGAINST H361, a Vermont House of Representatives bill that entails a Brattleboro charter change allowing 16-17 year olds to vote in municipal elections and hold local office.
There are a number of reasons why I am against the charter change.
Obvious ones include the fact that purchase of alcohol and cigarettes in Vermont requires someone to be 21. There is a good reason for that age restriction, as I am sure you are aware of.
But, the major reason I am against the charter change is because the teenage brain is not yet fully developed in a critical area: the rational part of the brain that directs good judgement, the prefrontal cortex. This key developmental milestone is not reached until the mid-20s and explains why teenagers often act in a dangerous and irresponsible manner. You can read more here.
“The rational part of a teen’s brain isn’t fully developed and won’t be until age 25 or so.
In fact, recent research has found that adult and teen brains work differently. Adults think with the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s rational part. This is the part of the brain that responds to situations with good judgment and an awareness of long-term consequences. Teens process information with the amygdala. This is the emotional part.
In teens’ brains, the connections between the emotional part of the brain and the decision-making center are still developing—and not always at the same rate. That’s why when teens have overwhelming emotional input, they can’t explain later what they were thinking. They weren’t thinking as much as they were feeling.”
The counter-argument to the point I make is that many adults who are older than 25 often do NOT think or act rationally. I agree, and that is a sobering reality… but that is no reason (in my opinion) to extend voting rights to individuals whose brain is still developing in key areas that will certainly impact making important rational decisions when voting on important societal issues.
Thank you for your consideration of my concerns and perspectives.
Gerry Silverstein, PhD, South Burlington
Categories: Opinion
Amen…. Thank you.
Well stated, sir! Sadly, neither Sirotkin or Lyons have the maturity, decency, or moral foundation to comprehend why approving this is just plain wrong. On the other hand, perhaps Brattleboro will get what they deserve – which is not what they claim to be asking for.
I doubt that those pushing for this Bill even care about these facts. They want votes.
Thank you for speaking up and sharing scientific research along with common sense which these days is not so common.
What is the current status?
You can just look up H361 on https://legislature.vermont.gov/ by typing the bill number in the search bar.
In this case you can see the status and voting information at: https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2022/H.361.
If it’s a bill that is being worked on today you can listen here: https://www.vpr.org/vermont-legislature or you can read the journal which is on the front page of https://legislature.vermont.gov. It’s as up to date as they can make it from my experience.
Democrats Ginny Lyons and Michael Sirotkin must have never spent time with moody 16 and 17 year old kids. If this passes in a few years they will want 10 year olds to vote and hold office. Dems are going too far in everything and not in a good way.
It’s a no brainer. MORE VOTERS at any expense. Science nor logic are tools used in developing some of the legislation we are seeing. These 16 and 17yr teens are spending most of their day under the voice and supervision of the world of academics who have alot of influence on what some of our youth think. If this trend continues and we do not get school choice… game over.
Good Point Deb Billado……….