"Let Children Vote. Even 13-Year-Olds." by Laurence Pevsner There’s no such thing as children’s suffrage. But there should be. Most adult Americans would laugh at the idea of a 13-year-old walking into a polling booth. But that’s a familiar attitude in the history of American voting rights. The first state to grant women's suffrage was Wyoming - and it started as a joke, too. Edward M. Lee, the territory's secretary, wrote: “During the session, amid the greatest hilarity, and . . . in the full expectation of a gubernatorial veto, an act was passed Enfranchising the Women of Wyoming.” The veto never came. A century later, this inauspicious start came full circle when women were included in the Civil Rights Act as part of yet another lawmaker's joke. 1 of 2 Question Use the passage to answer the question. Which is the central claim of this passage? (1 point) Responses Women were rightfully included in the Civil Rights Act. Women were rightfully included in the Civil Rights Act. Thirteen-year-old children should have the right to vote. Thirteen-year-old children should have the right to vote. Women’s suffrage was a controversial idea. Women’s suffrage was a controversial idea. Young people need to vote in higher numbers. Young people need to vote in higher numbers.
