Chapter One: Beginning Our Journey with a Single Question
Chapter Two: Voting, American Style
Chapter Three: Helping the Heavenly Chorus Sound Better
Chapter Four: Nurturing Lifetime Habits of Voting
Chapter Five: Getting It Done
Chapter Six: Wrapping Up
Niall Guy Michelsen is associate professor of political science and public affairs at Western Carolina University.
A 16-17-year old voter? A ridiculous idea that won’t add much to
the system? Setting a historical context and clearly explicating
pros and cons, Dr. Michelsen really gets you thinking, and in the
end, I come away with a better understanding of the arguments and a
more positive view toward the reform. A compelling read and an idea
worth considering.
*Sally Friedman, University at Albany*
To the average reader, I suspect, allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to
vote sounds slightly preposterous. However, in this thoughtful and
well-reasoned book, the author pulls together disparate strands of
research to provide a convincing argument for how lowering the
voting age could strengthen our democracy.
*George L. Mehaffy, Senior Advisor, Sova*
Votes at 16: Youth Enfranchisement and the Renewal of American
Democracy makes clear the importance of preparing students with the
knowledge, skills and experiences to be informed and engaged
citizens. It starts with a single question and provides valuable
insight into how we can help nurture the lifetime habit of voting
in our students. Dr. Michelsen has provided an invaluable resource
for all of us who are committed to our democracy.
*Felice Nudelman, Executive Director, The American Democracy
Project*
A generational shift is coming to America, foretelling a need for
new political leaders. Yet young people are turned off by politics,
often knowing very little about the basics of how to get involved.
Niall Guy Michelsen’s call for lowering of the voting age to 16 as
part of a broader effort to strengthen civil education and
engagement is an enticing idea to prepare a new generation for
political leadership and the challenges they will confront.
*David Schultz, Hamline University*
Votes at 16 is an important book for teachers, scholars, and
policymakers who care about political participation and political
equality in the United States. The book explores the theoretical
arguments, and empirical evidence, used by proponents and opponents
of the Votes at 16 movement and ultimately concludes that the best
way to restore our democracy is to create a new kind of civics
education that reaches all students, develops the habit of voting,
and makes the consequences of students' actions matter in the real
world. Niall Guy Michelsen has made an important contribution to
the ongoing debate about the best way to increase voter turnout and
develop the habit of voting among young Americans.
*Elizabeth A. Bennion, Indiana University South Bend*
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