Should the age to vote be reduced to 16?

But, if we were talking specifically, would you think there is a difference?

Look at how many countries are in debt. Who has the best clue? A kid handles their finances better than the government.

That aside, take this hypothetical:
One of your family members is in an irreversible coma. They have nominated you to make the decision to cease life support. First however, you must 'have a clue'. Does this sound reasonable? Where do you draw the line? Teenagers have enough 'of a clue' to vote. We don't see President and scratch our heads (I truly no one does).

Not really. You only need to ask one question: Why? An election happens every 4~ years, plenty of time for anyone to have formulated an opinion. Once you have an opinion, the only way you change is if you get persuaded. However, to form that opinion first you must have been persuaded initially. Adults go through the same process. No teenager is not going to be exposed to politics, it's everywhere. It adds no burden whatsoever, opinions don't form from rehearsal, they form on their own natural accord.

At 18 some are taking exams still, but some who have decided not to go into high education don't have a worry on their minds at that age in life.[/QUOTE]

 

I think it wouldn't make much of an impact because when it comes down to voting our votes don't have a direct impact on who gets into office it comes down to electoral votes that decide you can see more evidence of that within the last few years of voting where there where vote counting problems. Having vote options just makes it feel like everyone is allowed to have an opinion because if they did it any other way most people would be outraged but when it comes down to it over all the goverment gets in who they want whether the people agree or not. Its more or less smoke and mirror's giving you the illusion that you have freedom. If you did we would have had alternative energy other then oil years ago and wouldn't be focusing on drilling and ruining our beaches or relying on china to make all of our manufacturing all major mistakes brought about by a goverment that doesn't like change where the $ rules all. Your president doesn't even have much impact on much of what gets passed he makes a bill then it goes to congress that makes all the laws and passes them they can tell him no and then he has to re-write his bill till it is excepted by congress. If you want a fix for the economy should start by rehiring all of congress replacing them with people who don't have ties in all of the economy and industries so it allows for new industries to be built and allow some change to take place.

 

As stated earlier, if 16 year olds were able to vote their parents would persuade them to vote one way instead of what they want, if they even know what they want. Sure they're able to drive, work, and pay taxes, but they're not able to fight for their country. If you we're able to vote at 16, Army supporters would say "If I can elect the leader for my country, why can't I fight for my country." Plus 16 year olds are still considered adolescents, if the age was lowered people running for elections would try to appeal to them and it would upset the whole system.

 

No, a 16 year old must spend his time joying and learning. NOT VOTING!

 

Does it really matter? Governments and Politics are a waste of time and always manage to fuck up the world. Either way, I'd say remain at 18.

 

They spend o so much time voting, don't they. I question the use of the word 'must' also.

If it doesn't really matter then you wouldn't object, would you. The fact that you are adamant about the current position suggests it does matter, and you do care enough to take a stance.

 

0 Chance it would happen. I would never support the 90% of immature 16 year olds voting, it's fine the way it is you become an adult at 18 and you miss what 1 election if you're unlucky?

 

Considering the fact that I am nearly of that age, when I look around myself at school and see others, in my year, or a year above, I still see barely contained children. So no, I don't think it should be reduced to 16. Very few 16 year olds will show the maturity required to vote.

 

In short, no.

When i was 16 i was riding my bike and trying alcohol, not reading the newspapers about politics an shit.

Im 21 now an still don't care for politics an stuff. Now i know that not everyone is like me an that SOME 16 year old do actually read the papers an watch the news an keep up to date with the web of lies the poli's spin on the world but i doubt the majority of them even care about voting.

All the politicians would need to do to sway the votes of 16 year olds its to throw in a discount on the tax on electronics suchs as games an DvD's and they would get massive support lol.

 

One is not considered an adult until the age of 18 in the US which is why people can vote at that age. If the US government changed the age it recognized a person as a non minor, the government would have to start sending draft cards to males at the age of 16 years. The US military could change the minimum age of recruitment to 16. Do you think a 16 year old person would be mature enough to fight and die in an armed conflict? I think most would not be.

 

16 isen't a gr8 idea, becouse when you are 16 years old, like me, your friends have alot influence on what you vote.

 

If it was these guys would be running the country http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_Lovers_Party_(Belarus)

 

Don't see why they should,
But if it happens it happens.

 

I think that the age should remain 18. either that, or to be able to vote, regardless of age, you should have to take a test to see if you're mature/smart enough. i'm 15, and I know if I voted, I would be making a good, informed decision. but at the same time, I know alot of people 16 and under who are immature and stupid as fuck who would make a bad decision.

 

No it should NOT be reduced.

Not many people (who are turning 18) even care to vote, so why should 16 year olds care?

I'm turning 18 in a few months and I couldn't care less about voting. The president is just a puppet anyways.

 

I think it should be reduced to 18.

For me at least, growing up going to the high school I did (in Canada), they teach you a heck of a lot about government and politics. Specifically in grades ten through twelve, there are a lot of debates and ideas on the topic of different governments.

I think at 16, I was the most interested and proactive about the government of my country than I have ever been.
I'm now 19, and for my own personal reasons am either too lazy or just don't care enough to vote.

At 16, you're old enough to make intelligent decisions on the future that you will have to one day face.

:laugh:

 

What does being smart have to do with voting? All voting is meant to be used for is to get an accurate representation of the body of people that are to be governed. Regardless of how old or smart someone is, they get to vote in order to have their opinion heard. You cannot just deny a group of people the right to vote because their views do not line up with yours, and thus take on the label as a "bad decision."

So... you really haven't fairly argued for either the age to vote being reduced to 16 or for it to remain the same, 18.

 

Those 16yo who "work, pay taxes, drive cars, do all sorts of things," should be allowed to vote, since they are such a minority and it is unpractical to allow only those who meet the requirementsthen no.

 

The real question here is: would allowing 16 year olds to vote actually Change anything? If it will, than it should be allowed, if not, there is no reason to.

 

I'd say no... there's no point.
Don't hate but I don't think it's going to make a big different.