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Here is a copy of the letter Natasha sent to the 300 members of the California Democratic Party's Executive Board. The vote was unanimous to lower the voting age. The unanimous vote also called for "full youth participation in conventions, caucuses, committees and other meetings and events in our Party." Natasha does not consider herself exceptional. She sees herself as a normal 14-year-old who has been blessed with an opportunity to help end the oppression incurred by her generation. In copying the letter here, I removed her last name and the name of the recipient of this letter in case infiltrators are reading this.
July 21, 2005
Dear ________,
I am writing to you to encourage you to support one of two resolutions calling for the lowering of the voting age. It is in the interests of the Democratic Party, in the interests of democracy, and in the interests of fundamental fairness that I make this request. My generation will have to live with the planet, the job situation and the world that current voters leave us. Currently, it appears that those who have the vote are making some of the worst possible choices. My generation can only hang onto the slim hope that Planet Earth survives the decisions of current voters.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 establishes a sixth grade education as legal proof of literacy. Title 42, Chapter 20, Subchapter I, Section 1971(c), of the U. S. Code establishes a presumption that anyone who has completed a sixth grade education “possesses sufficient literacy, comprehension, and intelligence to vote in any election.”
Like a great many other fourteen year olds, I work, I pay taxes, I pay into Social Security, I belong to a union, I take classes from a major university and I have devoted long hours to Democratic political campaigns. Close to the election in 2000, at the age of 9, I worked more than forty hours per week (with no pay and no benefits, other than the hope of having a good government) to get Al Gore elected. My brother did likewise at the age of eleven. Last November, my brother and I worked until after midnight hanging door hangers and literature and doing other campaign work for John Kerry and other Democratic candidates prior to the election. Yet, within the Democratic Party, there are people who are eager to see that younger volunteers have no say whatsoever.
Last April, over 400 people unanimously voted to adopt by-laws allowing those under the age of eighteen and immigrants who were not yet eligible to vote to become members and officers of the California Democratic Party Progressive Caucus (also known as the Progressive Issues Coalition). The Progressive Caucus was inspired by a resolution I co-wrote with my brother. My brother and I worked hard to put the caucus together. I was overwhelmingly elected to be an officer of the caucus. Subsequently, some of the adult officers decided they could ignore the will of the caucus by unilaterally, and in violation of the by-laws, kicking out the youth and the immigrants from the ranks of members and officers. The membership lists are being withheld from the members, and from at least some of the founders and officers. Therefore, it is impossible to know who has been purged and who remains on the roles. Purges and discrimination are an adult activity. My generation says “no” to purges and bigotry. We are asking you to join together with us in opposing the theft of democracy and in opposing blind prejudice.
Rather than going backwards, I ask the Democratic Party to take a step forwards. In Germany, when 16 year olds were allowed to vote, it was discovered that 16 year olds voted in significantly greater numbers than 18 year olds. While most 18 year olds are in transition, with changes in schools and residences, 16 year olds are less likely to have given up on a system that discriminates against those who are the best informed and have the most to lose when it comes to elections. My generation has much to contribute and we would like a chance to do this.
The 26th Amendment sets a maximum age at which eligibility begins. The voting age in both federal and state elections can be lowered with mild statutory changes. Other states are working to change the voting age. Let’s show them that California is progressive and that California Democrats care about the rights of my generation. Don’t let the Republicans beat our party to the glory. Let’s make our Party the one that is known for inclusion, compassion and respect for America’s youth.
Approximately 300 Americans have died in Iraq without ever having had a chance to vote for President. The sole reason these approximately 300 American martyrs were unable to vote for President was that they were too young to vote at the time of the last Presidential election prior to their deaths. The only way all of these 300 servicemen and women would have been old enough to vote for President prior to their deaths would have been if the voting age had been lowered to 15 in 2000. All people should have the right to choose the leaders of the country that sends them to their deaths. You can give that right to future martyrs by taking the additional step of calling for the voting age to be lowered to 15. Lowering the voting age would be a compassionate thing to do in the memory of these men and women.
Life on Earth is in danger of extinction from wars, pollution and global warming. Jobs are leaving this country at an amazing rate and homelessness and poverty are growing. This is the legacy given my generation by those considered old enough to vote. My generation is informed and we care. We want to save our future and our planet. Give us a chance to save ourselves and our future. Help make sure that at least one of the resolutions to lower the voting age passes. The civil rights movement is not over. This is your chance to make history.
Sincerely,
Natasha ___________
Founding Officer, Progressive Caucus (Issues Coalition), California Democratic Party
Youth Chairman, Patrick Henry Democratic Club
President, NYRA-OC (National Youth Rights Association – Orange County)
Founding Officer, Progressive Caucus (Issues Coalition), California Democratic Party
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