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Use this Padlet to have an discussion - read and respond to AT LEAST 2 (minimum) posts from your classmates. You must put your name in the subject line or I have no way to give you credit!

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I disagree that 16 year olds should be added to the pool of voters and that is because from the article I read the least percentage of voters are from the ages 18-34 so adding an even younger age group would not have a huge impact and is not necessary.

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This is interesting but I do have a question as to whether a 16 year old has enough life experience to vote on important items like taxation, foreign policy, etc.

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Fourteen states have introduced bills to lower the voting age for state elections or even just school board elections. Interestingly, it is likely that most of them were introduced by Democrats.

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What are the reasons for lower the voting age in general? Also, why would the Democrats in particular be in favor of lowering the voting age ?

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The article we read was discussing decreasing the voting age from 18 down to 16. If 16 year olds can be subject to the criminal justice system and sometimes be tried as adults in certain cases there is no reason a 16 year old should not be able to vote. Chemically, there are no major changes in brain development between 16 and 18 years old, so the argument that decreasing the voting age down to 16 would add a new pool of immature voters would be invalid.

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I agree that lowering that the voting age should be lowered from 16 to 18. While people may argue that 16 year olds have not had enough life experiences, the amount of experiences a 16 year old has had is very comparable to that of an 18 year old. I also like how you included the point about how 16 year olds can be tried as adults because this alludes to the fact that 16 and 18 year olds are more similar than we may think. However, if we lower the age to 16 would people continue to argue that the age should be lower?

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That is interesting Carolyn - why do you think it is just in Democratically controlled areas? Is there something in the Democratic party that would have them do this?

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Do you feel that you could pass a test now after having US History last year? Are you taught what is needed?

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The number of voters varies yearly, but there has been a significant decline since the 1900s. There are two types of elections and they are presidential and congressional elections. More people tend to vote during presidential elections rather than congressional elections. I think that is because people believe that the person they put in the presidential seat is more important than those in a congressional seat. I don't think that is a strong reason to not vote during congressional elections because our government is a democracy there is a checks and balances between the congress and president so therefore congressional elections should be taken just as seriously as presidential elections.

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I find it interesting that less people vote in congressional elections than presidential elections. But I do agree that perhaps people feel that the presidential election is more important. However, if people were more informed on how the government works perhaps more people would vote in congressional elections.

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I think the reason people typically vote for presidential elections more than congressional elections is because there is a majority of the American population that beleives the President is hands down the most important figure and most influential figure in American politics. While these assumptions are not true, it is a commonly believed myth.

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It is interesting that younger people vote less even though they are larger in population. I think it has to do with experience because as people age they are more experienced and know what is the right thing to do. Young people are also busy as many people just start building up their careers.

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I think that I could pass the test after taking the US history course last year, since it covered everything that I saw on the practice exam which we took as our entrance ticket. This is why I felt that requiring high school students to take the citizenship test is not too big of a ask for most, since much of the questions are covered by the curriculum in our schools, and it's a good way of ensuring students' basic understanding of how our government works.

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I read an article about Indiana lawmakers who have proposed a bill that would require all high school students to pass a US citizenship test in order to graduate. In my opinion, high schoolers should be able to pass (at least 60%) a basic citizenship test that was in a multiple choice format with little to no problem, and it should be implemented in Indiana's schools. To make things easier, the materials on the test should be all taught and gone over together with each class, if not already in the curriculum.

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This is really interesting. I also believe that high school students should take the citizenship test before graduation. This will ensure that they have the general knowledge needed to vote and also ensure that they will choose the right candidate who represents them and their ideas.

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I agree with you, students should have to take some kind of test to vote as it makes sure that there are some kind of educated election. Without it, people could be voted into office for all the wrong reasons, if students are not prepared to vote.

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Ritu - as a Government teacher, I totally agree with this! It is why I do have my students take the exam!

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The article we read was about the Effort to lower the voting age to 16. Fagan who is one of the democratic argued this topic by saying that they should be able to make decisions for their future by voting a choosing the right candidate who they feel will represent their ideas. On the other hand, Baertschiger ,a republican , argued that lowering the voting age to 16 is just an effort by the democrats to get more voters and that it actually doesn't help the country. Baertschiger argued that a 16 years old is too old to be considered an adult and if they cannot be expected to be drafted in the military or are considered old enough to own a property then they should also not be able to vote. They are too young to understand how politics works and how our country can benefit from a candidate. They do not know what to look for in a candidate when they vote.

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The article discusses lowering the voting age to 16. They mention how 16 and 17 year olds are affected by life and death issues that impact their future. Since 2003, thirteen states, including Washington, have introduced bills to lower the voting age, primarily by Democrats. However, none have passed. Local efforts, such as Takoma Park and Hayattesville, have also been made. The last US voting age change was in 1971, when the 26th Amendment reduced the minimum age to 18. Fourteen states allow preregistration for voting at 16.

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This article discussed who votes in elections. What I found most intriguing was how the largest percent of the population is between 18-34 years of age. But this demographic is also the least likely to vote. This may be because people in the 18-34 age range may be uninformed or simply due to the fact that they believe that they don't have a say. But if people in the 18-34 age bracket were to vote then we would see a lot more representation for that age demographic.

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I found the article that you read to be extremely interesting. Requiring high schoolers to pass a citizenship test doesn't really seem like the target audience in my opinion. I feel as though this citizenship test would be better suited for adults, who have been out of school and are not used to regularly learning about history. Overall this was a really intriguing article, and though I disagree with your perspective, I still think your opinion is valid and could also perhaps be implemented.

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I did not know that the 18-34 age category is the least likely to vote, despite being the largest percent of the nation's population! Because of this, do you think that lowering the voting age requirement to 16 year olds will increase voter participation? I believe that it won't make much of a difference due to current statistics.

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I used to be someone with the perspective that one vote is only one vote, but after reading this I can understand the importance of voting and how that not only showcases my opinoin but also my voice and what I stand for and believe in.

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In the article I read it talked a lot about the statistics that are involved in voting, and things like voter turnout. I think it's really interesting in my article that there are more people who don't vote than people who are registered to vote. Although the numbers are quite close to each other, it is still concerning. Having the amount of registered voter turnout being a little less than those who didn't vote is something I found concerning. Being able to vote although is not required, is something that a lot of people have fought for in the past, and is something that allows us to amplify our voice. Having that power and not utilizing it is something I found really interesting to see in the article.

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I agree that there needs to be more of an effort to vote, especially in the more minor elections. It can be attributed to people not thinking that their vote matters, but being in the habit of registering. Citizens must address that their votes matter especially in the smaller elections. How do you think politicians can fix the problem of people not voting in small elections?

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I find that very interesting too and agree with the fact that people have fought super hard for voting rights and yet the numbers are low in voter turnout. This shocked me.

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The article we read was about Donald Trump and the federal appeals court's decision to rule that he is not immune to criminal prosecution after he was no longer President. This article relates to voting rights in terms of citizens decision of who they vote for and what factors they have to take into consideration when voting in the future.

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Indiana, as well as thirteen other states are trying to pass bills that require highshool students to pass a U.S. citizenship test in order to graduate. This is due to concerns that the youth do not possess general knowledge of the country, which may negatively impact the nation as a whole. The bill has been approved by the senate and is currently awaiting hearing in the house.

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I think that is an interesting topic of debate, and I believe that it is important to have general knowledge when being given the opportunity to make a decision such as voting. I see no reason why citizens should not take the test as it is basic governmental knowledge.

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I am surprised that 14 states are attempting to implement a US citizenship test to be able to graduate. My article mentioned that 14 states have advocated bills to lower the voter age, and it's interesting to see these numbers align upon different topics. Should it not be expected that the students possess general knowledge of the country through the school's education? When I took the sample citizenship test, the majority of the knowledge I learned in elementary school and reinforced throughout secondary school.

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I think that this is really interesting that they are trying to implement this. However, I don't think that it is a good thing, especially since it could impact certain communities with lower levels of education, and could deter people from school, and lead to increase in dropout rates. I think that having them worry about this test on top of all the school work could lead to the retention rates going down in students, and lead to a higher dropout rate.

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I think it is very interesting that this is being debated. Why do people want to lower the voting age? I think that the voting age should stay how it is as it could lead to more informed elections.

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I find the article an interesting topic and I wonder what other reasons there may be for people wanting the voting age to be lowered even further. While our presidents can affect so much more than just citizens who are over 18, do 16-17 year olds have enough knowlege to be able to vote? I find that most knowledge with voting and government is learned throughout the ages of 16-17, so their knowledge may be limited.

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The article we read was about Trump being denied presidential immunity for his actions while he was president. This relates to voting as it encourages voters to think about who they are voting for in the future. Also, it relates to voting as it reaffirms the principle that everyone, including presidents, must be held accountable for their actions. In a democracy, this is very important to voters.

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Tanya - you all picked a very timely article and a fascinating one too -- does Presidential immunity extend to ANYTHING a president does while in office? This was what Richard Nixon argued during Watergate and the SC found that argument lacking.

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I think that is a good thing that they denied him the presidential immunity. Especially like you mentioned it helps show that presidents must still be held accountable for what they did. Showing that the law is equal to people, even though at times it isn't. However, in a case like this with such a high profile, I think that was one of the reasons why Trump was denied his presidential immunity. Allowing for us voters to not only see that everyone should be equal under the law, but also allow for a fair assessment of his actions.

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It's interesting how legal decisions regarding presidential immunity can impact the democratic process. How can this ruling influence future election campaigns or voter perceptions of accountability in government?

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The Article my group read was called: Trump Rejects RNC Proposal to Make Him 'Presumptive Nominee. This article caught our attention quickly, as Donald Trump is a very important and influential politician, so him rejecting something is quite intriguing, as it must be an important action for our country. This Article was dated to January 26th of 2024 - after Donald Trump's presidency. In this article, a resolution placing Trump as the "presumptive nominee" for the Republican Party 2024 election was withdrawn by an RNC member due to Trump's rejection of the proposal. This led to a huge media explosion, as many praised Nikki Haley's campaign, casting doubt on Donald Trump, while many others stood to defend and support Donald Trump. This article had major connections to the topic of voting rights because it highlights the widespread belief that "voters' hands" should continue to control the RNC's resolution decision. Through the lens of this perspective, the profound ideal that the voters are the ones who will decide the winner of the 2024 presidential contest has been revived.

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I am curious to know your opinion on this, but personally I don't believe most 16 year olds are mature enough to understand the importance of voting and the care with which they must treat their duties and responsibilities as a citizen. Perhaps, to link it to my article, if they could answer a brief series of questions regarding the government or some other way to prove that they understand how the election works and have done research on the candidates to figure out their choice, instead of simply voting for the sake of it.

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The article I read was about orgeons efforts in trying to lower their voting age from 18 to 16. Senator Fagan wants to lower the voting age because 16/17 year olds are affected by life-and-death issues that impact their future like decisions that affect their homes, their clean air, their future, their schools and lives. However Senator Baertschiger dosent want to lower the voting age because 16 year olds are too young to enlist, to own guns, to own property, to enter legal contracts and belives that the effort to lower the voting age is a way to get more voters to sway elections. I believe 16 year olds should vote because these decisons do effect their lives, a decent amount of them are emancipated across the country. As well as the fact that the youngest age group of voter 18-29 is the group that votes the least so adding more people to that group probably wont change it much so its unlikely that there will be a ton of election sway.

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I do agree that election results do affect 16 year olds as well, but I hesitate in advocating for their voting privileges -- many are young and easily manipulated, and as seen with online trends, there is a danger of some who simply jump on bandwagons instead of carefully researching the candidates. I would not want these 16 year olds voting on a whim.

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You mentioned how 16 year olds are not old enough to do many things such as own property and enter legal contracts. Do you believe that the age requirement for some of these should be lowered along with the voting age, if so, which ones and why?

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I learned about a bill requiring high school students to pass the U.S. citizenship test before they can graduate, and therefore improve knowledge of civics. This happened in Indiana, which I believe was a step in the right direction. The bill mirrors a concern about a decline in understanding of how government works. At least 13 states have enacted similar laws, showing that it is a growing cause . Critics say it adds to students' exam burdens without effectively enhancing understanding. The bill's progression depends on House approval and the governor's signature. Indiana Democrats fear it might lower graduation rates, with no benefit to civic education.

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In the article we read, the analysis of different elections from 1978 to 2014 provides useful insights into the several factors that influence voter turnout. The study emphasizes the necessity for targeted efforts to address gaps in civic participation among different demographic groups. As we deal with the issues of maintaining a healthy democracy, officials should use these findings to establish methods that ensure every citizen's voice is heard in the voting process.

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The emphasis on addressing the gaps in civic participation among various demographic underscores the importance of inclusive democratic processes. I think the findings can be used to develop targeted strategies to ensure equal representation and participation.How do you think officials can effectively implement targeted efforts to address the gaps in the voter turnout?

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Pranav Malladi response to Riya Nemelidinne

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Pranav Malladi response to Riya Nemelidinne

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I found your response to be very interesting. I would've thought that the elections from 1978 to 2014 would have been very different, but I would not have thought for the reasons you mentioned. Did the article state that there was a higher voter turnout in 1978 than compared to 2014, or vice-versa? This is a very interesting phenomenon, and I'm curious as to what could've caused this discrepancy in voter turnout.

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The article that we read was about passing a bill that required passing the citizenship test in order to graduate with a high school diploma. I agree with the bill mainly because of the reasoning behind why Senator Dennis Kruse feels so strongly about this bill, which is "We just don't have people with common knowledge of our government systems anymore-". It is becoming increasingly obvious that high school students do not know important information regarding government systems and US history. The citizenship test includes a lot of the information related to what these students do not know, and making it a requirement may serve as an incentive to increase knowledge with the students. A downside that was discussed was dropout rates, but I believe it is the school system that is responsible for helping students prepare for this test, and it should be an effort from the beginning of their highschool careers to prepare for it.

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The article my group read discussed whether or not the Republican National Committee's(RNC) resolution should be voted upon by the committee members or by voters. With the RNC's resolution, the Presidential candidate would have all of the RNC's data and networking, which would give the candidate an advantage during the upcoming election. The article referred to Donald Trump as the "presumptive nominee"; however, trump refused. With this in mind, Trump still received backlash from major news outlets. For example, a writer from the New York Magazine, wrote that "Trump's resolution was too much even for him" and that the RNC is "under trump's thumb."

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The article I read (Indiana lawmakers consider requiring students to pass citizenship test), talks about a bill introduced by Indiana lawmakers that would compel high school students to pass the United States citizenship test before graduating. This proposed law is intended to eliminate a big reduction in young Americans awareness of the United States government and civics. This is because of the research that was conducted in a 2016 University of Pennsylvania survey, which discovered a big lack of awareness of the United States government among the general public. Only 26% could name all 3 branches of government and 33% couldn't name a single one. I think this method is completely unfair because it only focuses on one part of life which is just about politics and the government. This shouldn't reflect how qualified a student is to be able to move onto the next level.

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Do you think there are ways to get the 18-34 year old age group to vote more ? Do you think if this age group voted more that there would be a lot of different outcomes in recent elections both state and nation wide elections? I also find it intriguing that the largest age population in the country is the group that votes the least.

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In our article, "Who Votes? Congressional Elections and the American Electorate: 1978–2014", it first mentioned the two types of elections, Congressional and Presidential. Analyzing the trend in one figure, we can conclude that voter participation has decreased over the years, with presidential elections dropping from 64% to 61.8%, and Congressional dropping from 48.9% to 41.9%. Although, what I found interesting about voter participation is that the number of voters in the united states are nearly equal to the number of people who are citizens, but do not vote. I found that concerning, as if the citizens who chose not to vote voted, they could make a great difference in the outcome of the election, as well as increase the representation of the general population.

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I think its pretty cool how everyone is made equal under the law and it ensures equality. Do you think that presidents should have some type of immunity or not? I think that this is a great rule or protecting democracy. With situations like these, it makes it clear to the public that everyone is treated the same in this nation.

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The article we read was about a bill proposed regarding the voting age. The bill was to lower the voting age to 16 years old. Democratic Senator Shemia Fagan stated that reducing the voting age would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to take action to protect themselves from life-and-death issues that impact their future. She argues that these individuals at the age of 16 should be able to make their own decisions for their future by voting and standing for their beliefs. However, Senate Republican leader Herman Baertschiger opposes this by saying that this was all just to increase the voting number and that decreasing the voting age does not do the country any good. He brings in the saying, "old enough to fight, old enough to vote." This slogan became popular after President Roosevelt changed the minimum age for the military draft from 21 to 18. Because of this Sen. Baertschiger says that if these individuals are not old enough to go to the military they should not be allowed to vote.

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The article I read was about Indiana lawmakers who proposed a mandate that required all high school students to take the US citizenship test and pass it, in order to graduate. In 2016, a study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania showed that 26% of the people they surveyed were unable to identify all 3 branches of government. So, I think the US citizenship test should be required because a majority of the questions on the test are based on basic history that most people should've learned prior to high school.

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I read the same article and I agree that the information that the students would be tested on is all information they should have known prior. Also, the school system should be doing a better job of making sure the students know this information, and the test could serve as an incentive to do so. Do you believe the increased dropout rates is an important factor to why the bill should not be passed that students must take a citizen test to graduate?

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I agree that students should be able to pass a citizen ship test because all of the material is learned in schools or if its not it should be in order to graduate. However I do not believe this would pass because a lot of states their education system receives funding based on how many people the get graduating a year so if people arent passing the citizenship test then the school is getting less money. But I do believe its important students can pass this test so that they are informed citizens and voters when they go out into the world and vote.

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That is a very interesting article. I liked how you said that if 16 year old's can be subject to the criminal justice system and sometimes be tried as adults in certain cases there is no reason a 16 year old should not be able to vote. You even said that there is no brain development between ages 16 and 18 which was pretty compelling to me.

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I agree with your response, I don't think that adding immature voters to the tally would be a smart idea. What do you think is the right age to make voter? I think that 18 or 20 is a good age to ensure that young people are still in the process, but they are not too young that they are immature.

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I am surprised by the lack of awareness among the general public, with 33% being unable to name a single branch. Why do you think the reason for this is? Also, I disagree with your assertion- if someone is taking the time to vote, they should also know general knowledge about the United states.

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I think this is a really interesting topic to think about. I disagree that high school students should have to pass the U.S. citizenship test to graduate. i think that graduating through education experience and credit is different than voting. However, I do think that passing the U.S. citizenship test before voting should be requires because it makes sure that they have foundational knowledge before voting.

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The way that many people choose not to vote, even with all the efforts we've put in to ensure this right for all citizens, is concerning. Voting is more than just a civic responsibility but I believe its a powerful tool for citizens to express their views and influence government choices. The essay you reviewed serves as a wake-up call, reminding us of the importance of participating in our democracy and exercising the rights that we've worked so hard to earn and fight for.

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I think that is a really interesting topic for debate. I agree with the federal appeals court's decision to not grant immunity from criminal prosecution after Donald Trump was no longer President. I believe that it would be unfair to all citizens and it would create a corrupt government. Additionally, I also agree that there a lot of factors that go into who a voter should vote for during a presidential election. For example, voters would need to see whether or not the ideals and goals of the presidential candidates align with their own.

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The court ensuring Trump is not immune to criminal prosecution demonstrates equality throughout the population, reinforcing that no one, regardless of position, is above the government. Do you think that Trump should have been granted immunity, or do you believe the court was justified in their decision?

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I think this a really important issue to address, and I find it surprising that the voting numbers for those who do vote and those who do not are close. I agree that although voting is not required, it is not a right that is obtained easily. Now that we are given the right to vote and take action towards our beliefs we should utilize our voice to vote and participate politically.

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I believe this a great topic for debate. I believe the voting age should not be lowered. Although 16 and 17 year olds are affected by life or death issues that may impact their futures, I believe that 16 and 17 year olds are too naive. 16 and 17 year olds could be easily influenced by their peers or support one candidate over the other due to superficial reasonings. I think the voting age restriction should stay at 18 because once people turn 18 they're considered adults and have many restrictions released. Due to many of their restrictions being released, they're exposed to a lot more opportunities and crises in which 16 and 17 year olds would be oblivious about.

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What do you think could improve and encourage more participation in the 18-34 age bracket? Do you think that social media could play a role in the increase or decrease in engagement in this age demographic?

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I agree that even presidents should be held accountable for their actions. This underscores the fact that no one can escape or be above the law. Additionally, I think this highlights the importance of considering the individual's morals and behaviors of every candidate. How do you think the ruling that Trump was denied presidential immunity will impact voters perception of the presidential candidates' accountability, in general?

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Do you believe that the voting age should be lowered to 16 or 17? I for one do not believe that the voting age should be lowered because I think that 18 is a perfect age to be able to vote. If you're an adult and mature at 18 then I believe that you should be allowed to vote. I think 18 being the minimum is perfect because when you turn 18 you gain all the responsibilities that come with being 18. I think this makes your vote and choice more experienced and mature. I think the difference between the responsibilities of a 17 and 18-year-old are very different. So I think that the voting age should stay at age 18 minimum.

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What do you think the reasons are for lowering the voting age? Do you agree with these bills? Also, why do you believe that is is primarily a Democratic bill?

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The article I read talked about how crucial it is to understand voting trends and demographics in American elections, with a particular emphasis on congressional elections. Every two years, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts the Voting and Registration Supplement to the Current Population Survey in order to track election outcomes and examine voter makeup. The article looks at voting trends and rates according to different demographic like age, gender, marriage status, citizenship status, race, and origin. The research shows that voter turnout tends to be lower in non-presidential years and to change between presidential and congressional elections.
It explains how, because it leaves out noncitizens, the voting-age citizen population more accurately represents the eligible voting population than the voting-age population.

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The article our group read addressed the question of whether or not voters should vote on the Republican National Committee's (RNC) resolution instead of committee members. The Presidential candidate would have access to all of the RNC's resources and networks with the resolution of the RNC, providing them with a competitive edge in the next election. Donald Trump was called the "presumptive nominee" in the article, but he declined. Despite this, Trump continued to face criticism from influential media sources. For instance, a journalist for New York Magazine claimed that the RNC is "under trump's thumb" and that "Trump's resolution was too much even for him."

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There are significant concerns regarding civic engagement and democratic participation when more people choose not to vote than to register to vote. It's a luxury that shouldn't be taken for granted. As you pointed out, a lot of individuals have worked hard to guarantee that every person has the ability to vote. Every vote has the power to affect policies that affect our daily lives and to reshape our society.

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I completely agree with your viewpoint on this matter. Senator Kruse raises important concerns regarding the general public's lack of understanding of government structures. One workable solution to close this civic education gap may be to make passing the citizenship test a prerequisite for graduation. The number of high school kids who don't even have a rudimentary comprehension of key concepts in US history and government is concerning.

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The article I read was about a possible required citizenship test for high school students. This test would help ensure that high school students would graduate with a good understanding of the American government system. Republican Senator Dennis Kruse believes that this would create a generation with a common understanding of the government. Numerous other states have enacted citizenship tests as well. Indiana democrats are not excited for this whole ideal because they believe the test would just add additional stress to the students. I agree with the democrats. High school students have enough stress with all the other tests they have to take, and this test is just unnecessary. The state is forcing the pressure onto the students when the students aren't the ones to blame. The school system should be the ones to blame. If anything, there should be more than just a required to teach the students this material. If one class isn't enough, there should be an additional one added.

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I do believe that these situations affect 16/17 year olds, but I don't think they're old enough to fully vote yet. I think 16/17 year olds should be allowed to participate in the primaries and local elections, but I don't think it would be wise for them to participant in presidential elections. Teenagers can barely choose what they want to be when they grow up, putting the pressure of choosing a president is just too much for them. Now, choosing a school board member or a governor is different. These elections affect these young people on a different level -- it's closer to home. This would affect the way their everyday lives play out. A problem they are probably more willing to learn/investigate.

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I honestly think this ruling is amazing because Trump, and his fans, believed he was above the law. There are plenty of actions that Trump made that were extremely illegal, like starting an entire insurrection. Knowing that a federal court said he was not above the law is amazing. The man that caused so much trauma can be persecuted for it all.

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The article I read had to do with lowering the voting age from eight-teen-years old to sixteen years old. In the article, two senators from the Democratic and Republican parties have different points of view on the matter. Democratic Senator Shemia Fagan argues with the assertion that due to the fact that sixteen-year-olds are subject to our criminal justice system, they should be eligible to vote since their vote can protect their future. On the other hand, Oregon Senate Republican leader Herman Baertschiger opposes the idea stating that if they are not allowed to enlist in the military or own firearms, it would not make sense for them to participate in voting issues that relate to the matter. I agree with Senator Baerschiger because sixteen-year-olds are too young and uneducated to make informed decisions due to their lack of knowledge and experiences in the real world.

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I agree with your statistics on how there has been a significant decline in voters since the 1900s when it comes to voting in the presidential elections rather than the congressional elections. A main reason for this might be because people believe that the presidential election determines more than the senators and representatives they vote into office. The President, as the head of the executive branch, has the authority when it comes to foreign policy, national security, and implementing new laws and regulations. Therefore, voters participate in presidential elections over congressional elections due to the difference in impact.

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Although I agree that high school students should have the ability to pass a US citizenship test, I do not believe that it should be required for them to graduate. Ever since the pandemic, the emphasis on standardized testing has dropped as colleges no longer only look at an applicant based on test scores. By adding an additional test to their pile of requirements, I believe we would be affecting the student's mental health and in the end, it would not benefit our country as a whole.