I think the opportunity to combine participation in elections with high school civics classes is pretty compelling. In some schools it won't amount to much, in others it would become a major preoccupation.

I think vote 16 would cause a significant increase in government and politics participation by young people.

The real concerns and problems of youth are mostly ignored while at the same time protecting them guides a significant portion of legislation and regulation (for the children!) There is much talk in today's political arena (maybe most this talk happens a great deal more in liberal places like the Pacific NW) about giving voices to marginalized groups. I think young people are significantly marginalized. I know I never felt more marginalized than I did when I was 16 and often for good reason. My actions and motivations were closely scrutinized, there were few public places I wanted to be that I was allowed to be without suspicion (especially after dark).

I think if kids voted there is a greater chance politicians would feel greater accountability about providing desirable public goods that young people wanted. I think that there would be more scrutiny of how police interact with young people before it comes down to a cop ust shot a kid.

As a lobbying force they could become quite scary. They spend 5 days a week together, have plenty of free time and modern technology can easily connect a network of schools to mobilize

It is getting surprisingly and pleasently busy at the shop right now so I'll leave off here. I might have a few more thoughts but that's the gist of my thoughts.