by Children's PressLine journalists Nawal Arjini, 9; Lucia Di Lauro, 16; Jared Fishman, 10; Matthew Kunihro, 10; Elizabeth Negron, 13; Jah'sway Robinson, 11; Patricia D. Rogers, 16

NYC Kids React

What do kids in New York think about the possibility of voting in local elections? Here's what some told Children's PressLine:

Jessica, 14: Lowering the voting age will get another age's point of view. I think the number of voters will double because teens will be excited to vote.

Shukria, 15: I think the voting age should be 16 because most of the15- and 16- year-olds work, and they pay taxes. Why shouldn't we be able to vote?

Jordan, 15: We as teenagers see life—and who we want to be our leader—differently than our parents. The vote count would be totally different if we were able to vote. We would have John Kerry as president if teenagers had been able to vote.

Karen, 15: I would vote Democrat because I live with my mom, and she's a Democrat. Parents teach their children the difference between right and wrong, and that goes for politics, too.

Alvin, 15: The voting age should be 16. If you work, you pay taxes, and you should be able to make political decisions, including who you want your leader to be.

Jacky, 16: I believe young people should have the right to say what they want for themselves.

Jonathan, 16: Kids know what's best for them. I would vote for a better change in the world. To tell you the truth, I've been running the streets and everything, gang banging. It's nothing cool, but a lot of kids don't hardly listen to their parents half of the time, so they are not going to listen to them about voting.

Isar, 16: The right to vote is probably the most important right US citizens have. I would vote similarly to my parents because I have very similar views.

Erika, 17: It's a radical idea. Lowering the voting age brings a little flavor, a little "hip-ness" to our society. A lot of times, older people have traditional views, but younger people go with the flow and are open to new things.

Emily, 17: Many 16-year-olds are bored and should have a voice that should be heard through voting. It should be the responsibility of the government, the media, the political system, and society as a whole to inform kids about politics. The average child in America has very little voice in the policies that affect them. The right to vote gives citizens a small say in how their everyday lives are lead. It is the basis of democracy. It is one of the main reasons America was founded.

Tyrone, 18: I would vote to make a change in the world. Kids are more aware of what they want in life.