What if the voting age was lowered?

[Stevicus]

After reading a post in another thread, I was reminded of the fact that only adults (18 and over) are allowed to vote in the U.S. (Oddly enough, in my state, one has to be 21 in order to gamble, purchase cigarettes and alcohol, but we can vote at age 18 and start driving at 16.)

But if we can drive at 16, why not vote?

I felt I was smart enough to vote at age 12. Even by age 8, I was starting to pay attention to the elections and political issues. I probably would have voted for McGovern.

 

[sun rise]

I voted keep it the same. Of course, some are mature enough at 16 to make good choices.

Other people act like toddlers when they're biologically adult.

And there's no easy way to separate the mental adults from the "baby adults".

 

[Thief]

age matters....

but I think a residence record of five years would be more appropriate

and maybe an IQ test.....pass at 85
after all....if you can't serve in the military for lack of brains
you shouldn't vote the Commander in Chief into office

 

[Wandering Monk]

If the age eligibility for the military draft or enlistment were to become age 16, I would then support 16 year olds being able to vote.

 

[Twilight Hue]

After reading a post in another thread, I was reminded of the fact that only adults (18 and over) are allowed to vote in the U.S. (Oddly enough, in my state, one has to be 21 in order to gamble, purchase cigarettes and alcohol, but we can vote at age 18 and start driving at 16.)

But if we can drive at 16, why not vote?

I felt I was smart enough to vote at age 12. Even by age 8, I was starting to pay attention to the elections and political issues. I probably would have voted for McGovern.

I think young people need a voice themselves. It would be either 18 or 21 with me leaning towards 18, the criteria of manhood and womanhood although 21 would probably be more practical.

 

[SomeRandom]

Have to be 18 to vote here.Course you have to be 18 to do most things Drink, smoke, join the army etc Actually I think that’s how they originally lowered the age. Old enough to shoot old enough to vote (and drink.)
Except drive. Though we now have “provisional” licenses until age 20 or so.
Which is essentially an added “learners” license, just with some restrictions until your opens.
So I’m fine with 18 being the age to vote

 

[Stevicus]

I think young people need a voice themselves. It would be either 18 or 21 with me leaning towards 18, the criteria of manhood and womanhood although 21 would probably be more practical.

Perhaps what might be interesting is if younger kids could vote, although their votes wouldn't count as part of the election. It would be good practice, an exercise in civics, and make them feel a part of the voting process. It would be interesting to see the results.

 

[Suave]

After reading a post in another thread, I was reminded of the fact that only adults (18 and over) are allowed to vote in the U.S. (Oddly enough, in my state, one has to be 21 in order to gamble, purchase cigarettes and alcohol, but we can vote at age 18 and start driving at 16.)

But if we can drive at 16, why not vote?

I felt I was smart enough to vote at age 12. Even by age 8, I was starting to pay attention to the elections and political issues. I probably would have voted for McGovern.

I have no reason to doubt you were intelligent enough to vote when you were 12. I'd consider any post pubescent aged person, typically around age 12, as being mature enough to vote. Most post pubescent aged youths are often educated about the virtues of socialism.

 

[Altfish]

If you are old enough to work and pay taxes, then you are old enough to vote.

In the UK it currently is 18, it should be 16

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Perhaps what might be interesting is if younger kids could vote, although their votes wouldn't count as part of the election. It would be good practice, an exercise in civics, and make them feel a part of the voting process. It would be interesting to see the results.

That is a really interesting idea. Kudos.

 

[epronovost]

18 years old for minimal age to vote seems to me to be reasonnable. Youth vote is already pretty low because they haven't gotten around to develop an interest for politics or the knowledge for it.

 

[Suave]

If you are old enough to work and pay taxes, then you are old enough to vote.

In the UK it currently is 18, it should be 16

Hopefully, that would be enough of a boost of socialist minded people in order to get rid of U.K.'s Prime Minister Boris Johnson.