Name: Robert Cunha
Office Sought: Town Meeting Member Precinct 1
e-mail address: Robert.cunha20 [at] gmail.commichaelschanbacherlexpb [at] gmail.com (
)phone number: 781-862-7946

Community Activities: 

• Town Meeting member
• Member of the Permanent Building Committee, Fire Station
• Chair Lexington Contributory Retirement Board

Article 43 on the 2024 Town Warrant is asking if the Town will authorize and request the Select Board to petition the General Court of the Commonwealth for Home Rule Legislation to allow any citizens in the Town of Lexington, who have reached the age of 16 or older, to register and vote in municipal elections within the Town, or to take any action in relative thereto. Would you support this article? Why or why not?

A healthy government depends on individuals exercising their right to vote. Currently the voting age in Massachusetts is 18 years old. There has been discussion on lowering the voting age to 16. There are many pros and cons to lowering the voting age.
Younger voters typically turn out at much lower rates. After the voting age was lowered to 18 in 1972, the voting participation rate fell. In the 2012 election, for example, only 46% of Millennials voted, but 72% of the Greatest and Silent generations made it to the polls.
Most sixteen- year-olds are still required to go to school and depend on their parents for support. Teen’s decisions are heavily influenced by their teachers and their home environment
There are always exceptions to the rule of maturity and age in teens, of course, which is why they’re already permitted to be politically active at 16. They can work on political campaigns, volunteer for candidates, and promote specific issues. Even without a vote, there are many 16-year-olds who influence elections.
I look forward to receiving further information to support this article.