Young people across the country are mobilizing, marching, and speaking out on critical issues as never before, from the Youth Climate Strike and March for Our Lives to immigrant rights and Black Lives Matter. They are looking out at a world they’re set to inherit, and making a powerful case for action to create a safer, more equitable future.

Now, it’s time to let more young people use the power of their vote — not just their voices — to effect change by expanding voting rights to include young people aged 16 and 17. California could be a leader in making this happen. In August, dozens of young people like myself from across the state rallied and conducted repeated legislative visits in support of Assemblymember Evan Low’s bill, Assembly Constitutional Amendment Eight (ACA 8), which would amend the state constitution to drop the voting age to 17 for all state-wide elections. With help from our #17ToVote statewide coalition, the bill passed the state Assembly on August 26, and is now headed to the Senate for a vote. ACA 8 would be a step in the right direction to expand voting rights to young people.

The idea of opening the door for more young people to vote is gaining traction on the local level as well. In Los Angeles, the two of us worked together to pass a resolution to research the feasibility of a 2020 ballot measure allowing persons 16 years of age or older to vote in the Los Angeles Unified School District board elections. Other California cities such as San Francisco came close in recent years, and in 2016, Berkeley voters approved Measure Y1 with over 70% of the vote.

Over the centuries, the U.S. has steadily opened the door to voting for populations that were long denied this fundamental right. From 1964 to 1973, young people were drafted and sent to Vietnam. That generation saw tens of thousands of young men sacrifice their lives without the ability to have a say and a vote. They organized and protested, and eventually voting rights were extended to 18-year-olds with the 26th Amendment, passed in 1971.

Today’s young people are also demanding a vote in order to have a voice on the urgent issues of our time. There is clear and growing momentum behind the idea of expanding the franchise to 16- and 17-year-olds. Earlier this year, Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) introduced legislation in Congress to lower the national voting age to 16. Lawmakers in Oregon have proposed an amendment to the state constitution to do the same.

Our nation’s political climate ahead of the 2020 elections has young people paying attention and eager to lead. The issues we care about — climate change, immigration, gun violence — have been sidelined by gridlock in Washington, D.C.

California is different. Young people encouraged former governor Jerry Brown to sign a law that allows young people to “pre-register” to vote starting at age 16. Since the law went into effect, hundreds of thousands of young Californians have signed up so their voter registration will automatically become active when they turn 18. But why should they have to wait?

Sixteen may be the best time to get young people voting. At this age, young people are more stable and less transient than when they begin college. They are learning about civics and government in high school, which makes it an opportune time to allow them to exercise real-world civic participation. Research suggests that when young people vote in their first few consecutive elections, the habit sets in — ultimately strengthening our democracy. And statistical evidence has found that the average 16-year-old has the same level of civic knowledge as someone who is 21.

Today’s young people, and young people of color in particular, are ready to use their voices and their votes to bring about positive change, according to recent research. At 16, young people can drive, pay taxes, and work for the first time without major restrictions. Many young people from working-class communities also shoulder major responsibilities, such as contributing to family incomes, taking care of their siblings, or translating important information for their parents.

Young people are rising up and showing that they love their communities and care about our collective future. We need to keep removing barriers that stand in the way of civic participation and voting for all, and especially those from underrepresented communities. Our democracy depends on young people being engaged early. California can lead the way in making sure they have a voice — and a vote.

Want more from Teen Vogue? Check this out: This Teen Helped Turn a Popeyes Chicken Sandwich Line Into a Voter Registration Drive-Thru