After 100,000 teens preregister to vote in California, is it time to lower the voting age?

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 24: A young demonstrator participates in the March for Our Lives Los Angeles rally on March 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. More than 800 March for Our Lives events, organized by survivors of the Parkland, Florida school shooting on February 14 that left 17 dead, are taking place around the world to call for legislative action to address school safety and gun violence. (Photo by Sarah Morris/Getty Images)

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla released data showing that 100,000 teens have pre-registered to vote in California under a 2016 law that gave them the opportunity to sign up before they are at an eligible voting age.

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla released data showing that 100,000 teens have pre-registered to vote in California under a 2016 law that gave them the opportunity to sign up before they are at an eligible voting age.

Padilla launched an online portal called High School and Youth Programs that connects teens with civic engagement opportunities. Following the aftermath of the February shooting in Parkland, Florida, that sparked a national movement around gun control legislation, many political activists argued that 16-year-olds should be able to vote.

But some who oppose the idea argue that many 16-year-olds might simply not be mature enough. In an op-ed for CNN, University of Kentucky College of Law professor Joshua Douglas took on that very argument, using various studies on the cognitive brain development of teenagers to support his claim that those 16 and over are mature enough to cast a ballot.

What do you think, should we lower the voting age? Call us at 866-893-5722.