Lower the voting age in Wisconsin? A radical idea, 60 years ago

In 1959, Assemblyman Hugh Harper of Grant County proposed dropping the state voting age to 18, arguing that by the time high school graduates get to be 21, they might lose interest in government.  Harper was 73 years old when he offered the bill.  The national voting age was lowered to 18 just twelve years later.   

La Crosse’s city leaders had some ideas for change in ’59.  One suggestion was a referendum on whether to replace the mayor with a city manager…reviving a proposal made earlier by the incumbent mayor, Milo Knutson.  There was also talk of electing the La Crosse school board, which was then appointed by the city council.  Under the election plan, there would be nine board members, three on the ballot every year running for three-year terms.  That system is still used today in La Crosse.    And Cuba had a new leader…with revolutionary Fidel Castro replacing the U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista.  Castro had been described as a “professional rebel,” having taken part in rebellions in Colombia and the Dominican Republic.  Castro takes over in 1959, yesterday in La Crosse.  

And Cuba had a new leader, with revolutionary Fidel Castro replacing the U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista.  Castro had been described as a “professional rebel,” having taken part in rebellions in Colombia and the Dominican Republic.  Castro takes over in 1959, yesterday in La Crosse.