I am writing in response to the article, “Labor will look at dropping voting age to 16, says Bill Shorten” (The Sydney Morning Herald, 31/9/15). I firmly believe that the voting age in Australia should be reduced to 16 years of age. Today’s younger generation are taking on more and more responsibilities therefore making them more than eligible to have their say into who is going to run their country.
In today’s society 16 year olds are capable of obtaining a job, earning their learners permit and paying taxes. These are heavy obligations with their own challenges that adults have no problem taking on, so why shouldn’t the younger citizens that are undertaking these responsibilities be able to vote? If they are thought to be responsible enough
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In Austria, where the voting age has been lowered to 16, two thirds of the 16-18 year old age group voted. This proves that if we were to reduce the voting age, it could encourage younger citizens to become even more politically aware and even inspire some to pursue a career in politics. Personally, I think it is an unfair assumption that all millennials are considered to be narcissistic when certain studies have shown that they are intensely passionate about global warming, the corrupt government of North Korea and other pressing issues affecting the whole world. Granted, you do not often see two teenagers arguing over whether this year’s budget aided global warming research or not, but these young Australian citizens have their own way of expressing their political views. They start petitions online, call out politicians on social media and even go out to protests, standing up for what they believe in. Some could even say they are more politically engaged than some of their elders who have not grown up with social media like they have. The teens of Australia deserve to have their voice heard when such important decisions are being made about their country’s
US senate lowers voting age to 18 On March 10th, 1971, U.S senate lowered the voting age to 18. Richard Nixon was the senate who made a law on lowering the voting age to 18. He also made the 26th amendment stating, “The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.” Georgia was the first state to lower their voting age. A lot of teenagers started voting after this change was made.
Letting a new age group vote will help show the diversity that is among them. In the article Shin writes about how “some opponents said that young people barely old enough to drive a car don’t have enough perspective to vote.” This argument is valid because it is true that many young voters don’t have the experience to vote. It can still be undone by the fact that only informed individuals are willing to vote at such a young age. This is done through the fact that many young voters were prompted by this new right, to go out and seek the information needed to be well informed
Nowadays, the young generations are not aware of how important it is to go out to a poll and vote. Without the votes, voter turnout will continue to decline. The citizens should be more aware of what is going on, fight for their beliefs and issues, and make a
Every state set the age of suffrage that gives qualified person the right to vote. Country such as United States, Canada, and Great Britain, the minimum age limit is 18 years old. They are excluded from voting if they committed crimes, mentally incompetent and non-citizen residents such as guest workers. The most arguments regarding element of an electoral system is the rule for converting votes into seats.
21st Amendment Repealed the eighteenth amendment, alcohol prohibition. Gave regulation of liquor to the states. Since then, alcohol control has largely been resolved at local level. Each state acquires own laws to regulate sale, transportation, and importation.
If the age was lowered to vote, i think many kids would take advantage of their
What’s the best right that we have in Canada? Well, of course it’s the right to vote. In Canada, everyone is entitled the right to vote as long as they fit 2 requirements which are to be a Canadian Citizen and 18 years of age or older. It might have taken a while for some particular groups to get the right to vote, but today all groups are allowed to vote if the 2 requirements are met. Canadians have been voting since 1792 in Upper and Lower Canada elections, but have been voting in one united election in 1867, when we formed as one united nation known as Canada.
16 to 17 year olds know less informed decisions than voters in their 20’s. Frontal lobes of adolescents may not be fully developed, their judgement may not be as mature as it will be when they are older. I think an amendment should be able added to the constitution that would change the minimum voting age from 18 to 16. 15 to 17 year olds performed better than 24 to 25 year olds on a variety of political questions. Thirty seven percent of 15 to 17 year olds got the question correct, while twenty eight percent of 24 to 25 year olds got it
and adults should have the right to make their own decisions about alcohol consumption. I feel that this is a good argument but, this is what I say, while eighteen year olds have the right to vote, in many others respects they have not reached adulthood. Biologically, their brains are still developing, few support themselves economically, and most importantly many lack the emotional maturity and judgement to use alcohol safely (Drinking Age). Even though they are old enough to fight for our country is doesn’t mean they are mature enough to handle alcohol correctly. Especially when he or she is put in stressful environments.
Given the general dejection that faces this state political process currently, changing the voting age to 16 and upward will really get young people thrilled. Allowing 16- years old and upward the right to vote while still living with their parents would encourage a habit that will continue once they leave their nest. Teenagers who come from a non-politically active household tend to take on their parents political views, if such teenagers sees other teenagers participating in a local election, they would be encouraged to turn out putting behind their inherited non political participation views from their parents. Teenagers are the future of the states, the voting age adult who don’t turn out during election will soon expire and the youth who will eventually make it an habit to go vote will replace
In recent years, it has become more and more apparent that the adolescents of today are unfit for the responsibilities currently available to them. Equipping someone who is unable to fathom the risks of the decisions they make with the power to put themselves and others in danger is far too precarious. For this reason, the age at which adolescents become adults currently established is dangerously low. The age of legal adulthood should be 25, because at this age young adults are truly capable of comprehending the consequences of their actions and are able to handle the responsibilities of adulthood.
Reform has been at the epicenter of society for years. Humans are far from perfect, and we must work to improve upon our mistakes through change. One blunder that hangs over our heads is the legal driving age of sixteen, and it is imperative that this wrong be righted. As it stands right now, anyone at the age of sixteen can drive a car, granted that they have supervision. But this measly protection pales in comparison with the bigger picture.
At the age of 16, they aren 't really wooried about the presidental election to vote. The diffrence of age 16 and 18, is a big thing because, you can become a whole diffrent person within that two year span. Citizens at the age of 16, dont understand the consequences of their vote and what can happen to our country if the wrong president is elected. When your 16, you really show no interest in voting anyhow.
Specific Purpose: To inform the audience about the lack of participation of college students in elections. Introduction: Attention: According to a MSNBC article entitled The State of Youth Vote in America written by Ashley Spillane written on January 15th 2015, states that 12000 Americans turn 18 everyday, but only 23% of the eligible voters ages 18 to 29 actually participate in elections (Spillane).
Imagine your 16 year old self. Would you not want to be voting in elections and make the right decisions towards politics? States in America are already lowering the age when you can vote to 16. Turn out of US voters below 25 at presidential elections fell from 50% in 1972 to 38% in 2012. The Asia-Pacific Economics Blog notes the young demographic is some of the most engaged, and by extending it to a younger age could fuel their passion for many years.