Should the age to vote be reduced to 16?

This may have been said I can't be botherd reading 6 pages but I have always thought let 16 year olds have the option to vote but don't make it compulsory till 18. It would probaly turn into a big mess but I doubt that many 16 year olds would care enough to want to vote.

 

I would accept this as it gives us the right to voice our opinions just like adults.

 

No.

1. Not enough understanding of government/politics
2. I'm 19 and yet to vote. Not too many 16 year olds are anxious to start voting.

 

More votes for the Democrats you say? Sounds like a plan.

 

Says who we don't understand enough in comparison to adults? Some of us study it, though I don't. Also, as I've said before, this is irrelevant. Voting is not contingent on understanding such issues.
I don't care if your 19, nor if you've voted. I care about whether or not you believe a 16 year old should be given the right to vote.

Democracy is the closest thing we have freedom, be it manufactured.

Though, you still haven't answered the question, and because I'm not American so I can't pick up on cultural references. Are you saying that more teenagers favor democracy? If there is such an overwhelming majority, then why deny them the right to express their opinion? They contribute to society to you know.

 

The Democratic party is the major center-left party in the US. As people under 30 vote overwhelmingly for them, and are more willing to vote for third parties, I would probably support this.

 

So we are in concurrence for different reasons?

If the overwhelming majority voted for Republicans instead would you support this? If not, then why not?

 

Voting is not contingent on whether one has sound knowledge of government, a valid knowledge of government, or a poor knowledge of government.

 

I think it should be 19, a lot of people are still in high-school when they are 18.
I believe people should have a full education, and an understanding on the government system we have in place, before they can cast their vote on their future president.

 

But why do you believe that they should have full education and understanding?

Do all adults have full education and understanding? No. Is there a law requiring that people must have full education and understanding? No. Do some teens have full understanding? Yes.

As I've said before, their is no rule that states you cannot vote because your uneducated or lack understanding.

 

Most adults, or hopefully most, have graduated high-school. Which most of them should have an understanding on the government.

 

But not a full understanding. Also, just because your educated, doesn't mean you have a competent understanding of government.

Also, you still haven't tackled my last point. Where does it say you require an understanding of government in order to vote? Is there a hidden caveat?

 

No where.

Why do you think the voting age should be reduced to 16?

 

Good.

Good question.

The legal working age in Australia is 15 years and 9 months. Perhaps the voting age should be reduced to there. I'm assuming it's similar in America, probably not.

When someone can work, they are obligated to file income taxes. This means that they are directly contributing to their country. Some of their money could be used to pay for a street sign 1,500 km away. They are also contributing to the work force. The government needs people to work, though it is impossible to make all members of society work, hence the benchmark of 8% unemployment in US (I think that's the %). 16 year olds are also allowed to drive (It's 16 in Australia for your learners). This rules out maturity as a factor, as society has deemed them fit enough to navigate automobiles capable of murdering and causing destructive damage. Automobiles are also responsible for an inordinate amount of accident dailys, most of which adults are at the wheel.

In summary.

16 year olds pay taxable income and contribute directly to their country.
16 year olds are part of the working force, as such, they are also contributing to their country.
16 year olds are allowed do drive automobiles, be it under supervision, they're still allowed to.

 

That is a very valid point.
But I honestly, feel, that the voting age should stay at 18. My reasons, I don't have reasons. I just see no point in changing it, just because someone works.

 

age should not be reduced because the youths are not mature enough for it. That sums it all up

 

Well, if you cannot justify your opinions, then I don't know what to do. Perhaps the Government might one day relinquish certain peoples rights to vote, and you might be one of them. Unfair isn't it?

We are mature enough to pay taxes.
We are mature enough to get a job.
We are mature enough to drive cars capable of killing people.

Why do you think we're not mature enough to vote? Is there a measurement unit for maturity?

 

I don't vote anyway.

 

But you have the right to, that's the difference.

Perhaps something else, like driving, though, I take it you understand where I'm coming from.

 

If anything it should be raised not lowered. Regardless of what most, if not all 16 year olds think, your brain isn't fully developed at that age. You're not able to think things through properly and take all things into prospective. You have no real world experience. Far too many 16 year olds would be persueded by parents, teachers, peers, etc.. to have an actual valid opinion on a matter.

I don't mean to belittle younger people, either. I, myself, am only 19, but you really can't expect a bunch of high school kids to cast a vote that is 100% their opinion or choice.