GOP Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is proposing that the United States raise the voting age to 25, excluding those between 18 and 24 who serve in the military, work in emergency services, or take a citizenship test.
In a statement explaining his proposal, Ramaswamy turned to data, claiming the U.S. has a 25 percent “recruitment deficit” and that only 16 percent of Gen Z — those born after 1996 — express being “proud to be American.”
He asserted that “the absence of national pride” would be “a serious threat” to the United States’ survival.
He added that young Americans, being taught to celebrate their differences, would find a “shared purpose” in Civic Duty Voting.
The conservative entrepreneur points out on his campaign website that although the U.S. Constitution prohibits discrimination based on gender and race, it didn’t “express guarantee universal voting.”
He claimed such wording is intentional because the U.S. is. “Constitutional republic, not a direct democracy.”
The campaign website further suggests “Voting is a privilege,” describing civic duty as a “proper precondition” to enjoy that privilege.
The proposal would require an amendment to the Twenty-Sixth Amendment, which Ramaswamy acknowledged was a “high hurdle.”
And although he admitted that “not everyone will like this proposal,” he was willing to take on the challenge to “convince many of its merits.”
Republicans have struggled with younger voters, especially on issues like the environment and gun violence; despite being the youngest GOP candidate, Ramaswamy’s proposal could hurt his chances with younger voters.
Ramaswamy is also currently polling at about three percent among Republican primary voters, according to the FiveThirtyEight polling average.
