(USNewsMag.com) – Vivek Ramaswamy, a candidate for the 2024 Republican nomination for president, has proposed the voting age be raised from 18 to 25. He announced the proposal to raise the age during a May 11 rally at the Royal Flooring furniture store in Urbandale with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.
The proposal includes a provision to allow 18-year-olds to vote if they served a minimum of six months in the military or they are an emergency responder. Also, if they pass the naturalization exam, which is the exam immigrants must pass in order to become United States citizens, then the 18-year-old would also be allowed to vote.
He believes that the amendment would help to drum up civic engagement, and that it would lead to voters being more informed.
The change in voting age would require an amendment to the Constitution. He acknowledges that changing the constitution represents a “high hurdle.” Amending the Constitution requires the support of three-fourths of the states as well as significant support from both chambers of Congress.
Ratified in 1971, the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age to 18 from 21. Some states allow people to vote in the primary election who are 17 years old if they turn 18 before Election Day. The argument to lower the age was centered around the military draft, with the argument being that if you could be drafted at 18 you should have the right to vote.
A biotech founder, Ramaswamy entered the race in February. Currently, former President Donald Trump, radio talk show host Larry Elder, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and former and United Nations Ambassador South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley all are also candidates in the race for the Republican nomination. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott will make an announcement May 22. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to announce his candidacy. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has also hinted at a run.
Potential candidates also include former Vice President Mike Pence.
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