Constituent letter to Senator Dole in favor of lowering the voting age to 18 and Dole's response

Item

Other Media

s-con_225_015_002_tr.txt

Transcription (Scripto)

Read Full Text Only (TXT)

Extent (Dublin Core)

2 Pages

File Name (Dublin Core)

s-con_225_015_002

Title (Dublin Core)

Constituent letter to Senator Dole in favor of lowering the voting age to 18 and Dole's response

Date (Dublin Core)

1969-05-13

Date Created (Dublin Core)

1969-05-13/1969-05-24

Congress (Dublin Core)

91st (1969-1971)

Topics (Dublin Core)

See all items with this valueVoting age--Law and legislation

Policy Area (Curation)

Government Operations and Politics

Creator (Dublin Core)

Dole, Robert J., 1923-2021

Record Type (Dublin Core)

correspondence

Rights (Dublin Core)

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/

Language (Dublin Core)

eng

Collection Finding Aid (Dublin Core)

https://dolearchivecollections.ku.edu/index.php?p=collections/findingaid&id=31&q=

Physical Location (Dublin Core)

Collection 003, Box 225, Folder 15

Institution (Dublin Core)

Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Archival Collection (Dublin Core)

Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996

Full Text (Extract Text)

(page 1)
AFTER FIVE DAYS RETURN TO
(redacted)
Kansas City, Kansas 66104
ZIP CODE
SENATOR BOB DOLE
MAY 1 6 1969
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20510
May 13, 1969
Dear Senator Dole:
Democracy is a very fragile thing. It is very easy to smother its flame in our efforts to preserve it from the violent winds of change. Of this our country must beware. It seems to me that we presently have a situation in America that is inconsistent with the principles of representative government. Young men between the ages of 18 and 21 are liable to involuntary military service, yet have no voice in their government. If these young men are not to be permitted to vote on the country's actions, then they should not be required to take on their shoulders the responsibility for carrying out those actions. They are either adults capable of taking part in the decision-making process, or they are children and not responsible for the country's defense. This double standard under the present system is highly undemocratic and must be corrected.
There are two obvious possibilities for action, either the voting age should be lowered to include those of draft age, or, preferably, the draft system, itself of questionable merit in a democratic society, should be revoked. Unless America is willing to put the lie to her democratic rhetoric before the world and before her own people, some action must be taken. You, sir, as a legislator are responsible for keeping the term representative government meaningful. I expect no more but no less of you.
Sincerely,
(redacted)
(in blue pen) Vote for 18 year olds. also mention draft
(page 2)
May 24, 1969
(in blue pen) Voting Age
(redacted)
(typed)
Kansas City, Kansas 66104
Dear (redacted):
This will acknowledge your letter of May 13 concerning the proposal to lower the voting age to 18.
I have long supported efforts to lower the voting age and sponsored legislation as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives, over 15 years ago, to extend voting privileges to those 18 and above in state elections. The valor of young people between 18 and 21 on the battlefield, their political involvement at home, and their deep concern for the complex problems of our times clearly indicate compelling reasons for them to be enabled to vote.
I support efforts in Congress to make the above possible and also favor similar proposals now before the Kansas Legislature.
Although I have not had an opportunity to completely study the proposal made by President Nixon, I do agree that revisions in the present draft system are in order, and trust that any consideration given by Congress may be a marked improvement over the present system.
It may be of interest to you that I have co-sponsored a bill providing for a voluntary military force, which I also feel merits serious consideration.
Do continue to give me the benefit of your views, and when I may be of assistance, do let me know.
Sincerely yours,
BOB DOLE U. S. Senate
BD:b1