What Should the Voting Age Be?

[asleepathewheel]

18

I haven't seen evidence sufficent to make me consider a change to the status quo.

[Jonny]

Voted 16-17, 16 seems about right.

As a member of the aforementioned 16-17 category, it seems, from my personal experience, that a decent number of us have independently-formed political opinions and would care enough to vote. Sure, there's also a decent number who just don't care, but it's apparently that way throughout the entire population. There also could be a very small fraction of said group whose political leanings have been molded solely by the work of their parents, but I would argue that a) from my experience, those that are like that and care enough to express it (and potentially vote) are very few and far between, and b) weak-willed adults can be influenced just as easily from external forces such as the media or mainstream culture.

Perhaps the biggest advantage to an earlier voting age would be the expanded ability of schools to encourage the habit of voting among their students. For example, schools could have days where officals come to help/encourage students register to vote (that occurs at my school, but obviously only a few are old enough to take advantage of it), and schools could allow students to go vote during a free period. By helping to instill a habit of voting early in life, the younger voting age may allow for the development of more life-long voters.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Jonny
Voted 16-17, 16 seems about right.

QFT

[notyoueither]

I think the advantages of 16 outweigh any imagined problems or simple, contrary conservatism.

[Winston]

We should ask Ming to enter votes of 16 for all the leftists. It would save a bit of time.

[joncha]

Yeah, that NYE is such a pinko.

[notyoueither]

I'm a leftist now?

14 might not be bad either, especially for local elections.

[Winston]

I figure you must be a bit drunk.

[notyoueither]

Much too early for that.

[BlackCat]

I guess that in a two party system as the US, it doesn't matter that much what the age is - especially when the parties is as similiar as they are.

In countries where the full political specter is represented, it gets more problematic. Most 16'ers I have encountered either haven't the faintest idea of what they are talking about, doesn't care or are aguing based upon propaganda arguments - only few has reflected about why and what their political views are.

That said, this doesn't suddently change at 18, but at that age they becomes legally responsible persons and should therefore too gain the voting right.

[Winston]

Now there's a sober man talking.

( )

[notyoueither]

I think if it would strengthen our political system(s) (higher percentages of people voting) it is worth looking at, seriously.

The fact that you can sign contracts, or drink, or or or doesn't have much to do with it.

We trust people who are 14 or 16 with motor vehicles and firearms. Why not the vote?

[Spiffor]

I've noticed that 16 year-olds can become politically savvy very fast, if they are in a proper political environment. Among my local Young Commies, we're targetting senior-highschoolers (from 16 to 18), and even though they tend to have a poor understanding of politics when we first hire them, they quickly have more elaborate ideas, and they don't merely parrot the party line. We're playing the role of enablers, and it works better than I expected.

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by notyoueither
I think if it would strengthen our political system(s) (higher percentages of people voting) it is worth looking at, seriously.

The fact that you can sign contracts, or drink, or or or doesn't have much to do with it.

We trust people who are 14 or 16 with motor vehicles and firearms. Why not the vote?

Well, let me say it in this way - 14-16 year old kids with firearms and driving licences scares me seriously.

[BlackCat]

Originally posted by Winston
Now there's a sober man talking.

( )

Nope - I'm half way down the second bottle of red wine