1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. For what reasons does Democratic state Sen. Shemia Fagan say the voting age should be lowered to 16?

3. For what reasons does Oregon Senate Republican leader Herman Baertschiger oppose lowering the voting age to 16?

4. a) In how many states have legislators proposed lowering the voting age to 16 since 2003?
b) In how many states has the proposal passed?
c) c) Why do you think the majority of adults do not believe it’s a good idea to lower the voting age to 16?

5. Why was the U.S. Constitution amended in 1971 to lower the voting age from 21 to 18?

6. Thirteen other states, including Washington, have introduced bills since 2003 to lower the voting age. It is assumed that lowering the voting age to 16 is promoted by Democratic lawmakers and liberal activists.
a) To what motive does Republican Sen. Baertschiger attribute the attempt to lower the voting age?
b) For which party do young people (ages 18 to 29) overwhelmingly vote?
c) Do you think Sen. Baertschiger’s assertion is correct? - Is the move by Democratic lawmakers to lower the voting age to 16 an attempt to gain more voters? Explain your answer.

7. a) What do you think: is lowering the voting age to 16 is a good idea? Explain your answer.
b)  At what age do you think a person should be considered an adult, including all responsibilities and accountabilities of an adult?  (drinking, marriage, owning a home/mortgage, being tried as an adult for a crime, etc.)
c) Ask a parent and a grandparent the same questions. Discuss your answers.