It comes down to what else is going on in your life. Parliament should reflect the entire electorate in policy management and formulation. A Senate inquiry is discussing whether Australia's voting age should be lowered to 16, but not all teens are sold. 16 and 17-year olds are generally less mature than their older peers. This could push people to choose candidates randomly, forfeiting the purpose of an election, which is to place deserving people in key positions. Arguments in favour: It is a civic duty to vote similar to other citizens duties e.g. that the minimum voting age limit has been set at eighteen years in many states (Grover 2011, p. 3). When a weaker economy comes around, the minimum wage workers tend to be the ones who keep their jobs more often. By the age of 16, you are nearly an autonomous adult, not a child. [ 4] Until the 1970s, the voting age in America was 21. In 1971, the U.S. already lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 and the latter is also the age citizens in most countries vote. Simply put, the central question is whether citizens under 18 have the ability and motivation to participate effectively in elections. They then consider both the advantages and disadvantages of having younger voters. Those seeking to lower the voting age to 16 in the UK often cite that young people are able to marry, join the army or pay taxes. The latest debate talks of lowering the voting age to thirteen years. So, now that you have heard two sides of the argument, what is your stance on this? 5 Reasons Why we Should Definitely NOT Lower the Voting Age to 16 - from a 16-year-old I, a semi politically savvy 16-year-old, strongly disagree with lowering the voting age. If the voting age is lowered, parents would still likely follow this trend. Minimum wage laws offer some level of job security. At the repeal of Prohibition, the legal drinking age was accepted nationwide as 21, but when the voting age dropped from 21 to 18 in the early 1970s, many states followed suit by lowering the drinking age as well. By Andrew Brown. The fact that 18 year olds do not know anything about life because they are still living at home and are still naive to certain aspects of life and still have so much to acknowledge that their vote should not be valid and therefore the voting age should be raised to 21. At the repeal of Prohibition, the legal drinking age was accepted nationwide as 21, but when the voting age dropped from 21 to 18 in the early 1970s, many states followed suit by lowering the drinking age as well. Given that we believe that political maturity is the key issue in this debate, our conclusion is that the voting age should not be lowered to 16. Minimize Right to Express Religion It could take away people's right to express their religion. Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history and influence TV recommendations. Economies grow and contract in cycles. States like New Jersey require drivers to be 17, while drivers in Montana or Idaho need only be 15. Younger people may also be better in tune with modern issues around internet privacy and social media use. The state imposes a range of other requirements such as the duty for parents to see that their children are educated and the duty to wear seat belts. Normally, you have to be 18 years old to be 'legal.'. Government need to identify the importance of teenagers, they should also given the rights, support should be given to the 16 year age, voting age should be lower to 16. . 3 Pros of Lowering the Drinking Age. In 1969, Harold Wilson's Labour government lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. Two teenagers debate the issue. As a sixteen-year-old, students are still legally required to attend school and . At age 16, citizens can drive, pay taxes, and for the first time work without any restriction on hours. If the measure passes, San Francisco will become the first major U.S. city to lower its voting age to 16. During a strong economy, there is a better chance to find a position which pays more than the minimum wage. By the age of 16, you are nearly an autonomous adult, not a child. In the 2005 general election, just 44 . Why lowering the voting age is dangerous » Should the voting age across the UK be lowered to 16? However, lowering the voting age to 18 will not change Malaysian society for the better if policies are not introduced in tandem with it. In a political environment, FPTP enables voters to clearly express a view on which . We have choices, freedoms, and rights too; but adults push us . the voting age from 21 to 18 years. . In other words, votes and consequently the budget spent on the polls will go to waste. One of the most dangerous times for drinking in the United States is between the age of 18 - 20. The federal law allows it, since the wording of the 26th Amendment provides that citizens over 18 may not be denied the right to vote based on age. 2010 'cash for infleunce' scandal. their list of concerns. Answer (1 of 7): I'm answering from a USA perspective. As the Law Dictionary laid out, teens at age 16 aren't allowed to work full. Save. democracies made this change, starting with Britain and Canada in 1970, the USA in. The idea behind this was that eighteen-year-olds are able to fight for their country but not able to decide who represents them. Like. The young vote caster in the age of 16 and 17, will caste the meaningful vote. 6. The advantages and benefits of a FPTP voting system. Here are some disadvantages of voting at the age of 16: Young people may not take voting seriously _16 year olds are not mature enough Young people may not take voting seriously Just because 16 year olds have the right to do some things, doesn't mean that they can do everything. Young people often are misinformed about the fundamental structure of government, and rarely keep up on current events. But local, youth-led campaigns to lower the voting age have persisted since at least 2013, when Takoma Park, Md., gave 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in municipal elections. Forbidding 16-year-olds from voting is consistent with many other laws that govern their behavior until they turn 18. 20% of American youth aged 16-to-17 and 7.4% aged 14-to-15 report drinking alcohol in the past month compared to an average 38% of European youth aged 15-to-16 years. As a recent report from the Institute for Public Policy Research makes clear, the United Kingdom is very much a 'divided democracy', with electoral participation among the young and the poor declining dramatically. In 1971, the U.S. already lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 and the latter is also the age citizens in most countries vote. It's simple to understand. Many now want the age at which people can vote to go even lower. Strengthens the feeling of responsibility of people. * They are the future of our country and should therefore be entitled to a vote on government. Students explore the designs of the voting age in UK. Of course, no one can ignore that one benefit of the 21-year-old age limit is less drunk . Somewhat neglected in the debate so far has been the other Liberal promise, to consider the adoption of compulsory voting (CV) for future elections. Yes it should. Connor Dwyer and Carola Binney. 1. At first, the minimum voting age being considered was sixteen years (Grover 2011, p. 4). Compulsory voting can prevent extremism. That is a short story of how Undi18 became a reality. Offering the vote to 16 and 17-year-olds will not resolve such issues, though an increasing number of politicians appear to support this rather than seeking to reform their own views and practices. Ed Miliband has pledged to lower the minimum voting age to 16 if Labour wins the election next year. In November, residents will vote on whether to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to cast ballots in local elections. The latest debate talks of lowering the voting age to thirteen years. 3. Holding off on voting may give them an advantage, by having more time to mature, and gain the adequate perspective to be responsible citizens. For many weeks, the government has been mulling over lowering the voting age to 18 years old. One sensible adjustment that I believe is necessary is lowering the voting age to 16. There are several pros & cons of driving at the age of 16 or for any young age. According to the roster it's my turn on behalf of Legal Twitter to be that guy and say that no, the Supreme Court will not be pronouncing on whether the voting age should be lower Voting can be seen to be a duty of citizens just as jury service and the requirement to pay taxes are civic duties. MLDA 21 should not be lowered to mirror European drinking age limits because the rate of drinking among US teenagers is lower than most European countries. A new age requirement bill was introduced last week by a Democratic councilman and has already garnered significant support, sparking a national conversation about the pros and cons of lowering the voting age to 16. After thinking about. The Voting Rights Act of 1970 lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. I think 16 is a better time to start voting than 18. • Convenience : With the well-designed software and system, the voters can simply use his voting equipment with the minimal time and . Felon voting rights have a bigger impact on elections than voter ID laws. "Some have questioned the maturity of . that the minimum voting age limit has been set at eighteen years in many states (Grover 2011, p. 3). Even without a vote, there are many 16-year-olds who influence elections. You can't get a credit card or . The presidential election of 1989 was the first with the lower voting age. Teens Might Not Have Access To Polling Centers In some locations, the driving age has been changed from 16 to 18. That is the power of diversity. Problem of weak incentive to vote voluntarily is mitigated. David Runciman, a professor of politics at . The advocate of electronic voting claims that the convenience, mobility, tally speed, less cost, and flexibility are the main advantages. The parliament has unanimously agreed to lower the voting age to 18 years old and we are ecstatic! Argument 1 - The voting age should be lowered to 16 "At 16 years of age you are able to marry, pay taxes, and leave home. [ 43] The voting age was changed once before, in 1970, when Congress lowered it from 21 to 18. Strong civics education and a lower voting age would mutually reinforce each other to increase civic engagement. To go through such a tedious process of . Here are some of the pros and cons of lowering the voting age. Thinking that young people are always on the left, bless his innocent cotton socks, Harold Wilson's government lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 before the 1970 general election - which he then . If they do not, then they must prove they were ill or incapable of making it to the polling place or face an extensive fine. Currently, the youngest age at which you are allowed to vote is 18. It creates a logistics concern. Scholars read an article discussing the pros and cons of lowering the voting age to 16. We shouldn't be 'too young' to be legal. August 19, 2018 — 12.00am. It's more democratic. PASSPORT to Your Modern Personal Brand What are the advantages and disadvantages of the current nomination system? You can read our arguments, research, and conclusions here. If you have 5 people in a room together, you have the potential for 5 different perspectives. Brazil. » Should the voting age be raised to 19 » Brexiters don't like democracy or the law » Should MPs be forbidden from voting with their conscience? This . Caucuses allow members of the party they're looking to represent to show their beliefs on controversial subjects. Now, voters in San Francisco, California, are considering lowering the voting age too. Low election turn-outs result in a government that does not truly have the democratic mandate of the population. Those who do not bother to take an interest in . Results showed 16- and 17-year old voter participation was in the middle of pack among age groups. Arguments for compulsory voting. The absence of something you have never had is a tougher thing to get angry about. Expression of different opinions. Here's a look at the history and the recent push by some to lower the voting age to 16. Teen Life Transitions and Cumulative Disadvantages for Voter Turnout." . Working hand-in-hand with the government, opposition and civil society. A 16 yearold should be more concerned with education, not politics. Today, the debate of lowering the voting age in the country from 18 to 16 has surfaced. From the 1960s onwards, most of the established. The idea is not a new one. The question of whether or not to adopt CV raises interesting philosophical, legal, political and administrative issues. Austria, Nicaragua, Brazil, Eduardo, Hungary, Slovenia, and Norway already allow 16-year-olds to vote in certain circumstances. You can legally have sex, which implies it is the age at which the Government deems you old enough to become a parent. A young voter leaves a polling . Also, they could choose candidates based on who represented their own political beliefs just as well as older voters. This . Verba, Sidney, Schlozman, Kay Lehman, and . It was. However, you would hardly be aware of this as turnouts are so low amongst 18- 24 year old. Giving teens the right to vote at 16 creates safety concerns for them and their parents. The Minimum Age of Voting and Candiday in UK Elections. Today, there is no reason for a further change. Australia's voting system is the one that is known the most. If it is their right to vote, then they must have access to a ballot box in some way. To anyone who thinks the voting age should be lowered to sixteen, in relevance to the data, it is pointless. Yes because…. It doesn't cost much to administer. A research shows that, government has discussed a lot on it that the young teenagers should be . Report Post. Reasons to lower the voting age include the following: Extending voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds is consistent with the fact that turning 16 has special significance in our culture. Lowering the Voting Age to 16? [ 3] Alternatively, state legislatures could pass laws allowing younger people to vote in their states. Arguably the Constitution could again be amended . PROS. Yes, that is an actual argument. Currently, the voting age is 18. With an election looming, I've been looking at as much policy as possible, and have come across some ill-considered remarks on this issue from Opposition Leader Bill . At the age of 18, people gain all of their legal adult rights… except the right to . The age of 16 is far too young. Demonstrates the values of political participation. lowering the voting age would be harmful to voters because 16 year olds are typically not worried about politics . In my ever so humble opinion voting should be compulsory because I believe . Students relate the topic to their own legal rights to vote. Lowering the voting age would force local politicians to listen to sixteen- and 17-year-olds and address their concerns. Arguments used for or against compulsory voting. Answer (1 of 22): Advantages: * Many 16 years olds, hold jobs, pay taxes, and can even drive which logically leads to the conclusion that they should be entitled to a say in how the government is run. When Malaysia next goes to the polls, more than two-thirds of the population will . It's also a matter of fairness: when unable to vote . As a result, input legitimacy may be negatively affected by lowering the voting age if this only serves to extend suffrage to citizens who are not motivated or able to participate in decision-making in this way. 3. taxation, jury duty. Reason #4: lowering the voting age to 16 will strengthen civics education. 1971, and Australia and New . However, there are other countries in Europe where people as young as 16 are legal to vote. Get Free Access See Review + . Taking away the vote from 18 to 20-year-olds would probably benefit the Conservatives and UKIP a little, but it. 2Con: But not all adult issues. If someone is over the age of 18 in Australia, then they must be registered to vote and show up at their polling place on election date. While it's not a baseless argument, it's not an argument that has much merit. Today, the debate of lowering the voting age in the country from 18 to 16 has surfaced. The main reason for considering compulsory voting is to increase the turnout . In essence, an 18-, 19- and 20-year-old can do everything a 21-year-old can do, except drink alcohol. By most people's 16th birthday, they will either be in their final year of secondary school, or first year of college. More sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds voted than eighteen-to-twenty-one-year-olds in Austria. -Uk is quite elitist- power is concentrated into the hnads of a small number of wealthy, well coinnected groups with real influence- e.g. However, there are other countries in Europe where people as young as 16 are legal to vote. 3. Lowering the voting age encouraged political interest in young people in Austria. 1. This is especially concerning since there are certain issues, such as environmental degradation, public education policy, long-term government debt, corporal punishment laws, and poverty that impact young people more than anyone else. The more people voting, the more voice citizens of the United States would have, providing a better look into the wants of the population and the needs for public policy, the Asia-Pacific Economics Blog reported. While some people were against it, many stood for it as our Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq worked tirelessly to get this bill approved. In the 1987 general election, for example, the turnout rate for the poorest income group was 4% lower than for the wealthiest. Double that figure to 10 and you'll double the number of perspectives that are available. Many students believe that 16 and 17-year-olds should not have the vote because they are not interested in political issues and current affairs. Here are the primary benefits of lowering the drinking age: 1. 1. The conversation reported that some people worry immature youths could be easily influenced or even coerced, into voting a. London.Google Scholar. Washington, D.C. could soon become allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in federal elections. » edexcel resit unit 1 uk politics 2018 » Should the voting age be lowered to 16? The involvement of more people creates more innovation. 2. 79% said that the voting age should stay at 18. At 18-19 (depending on when the first election occurs after you turn 18), you're likely in the middle of major life changes. Only 21% said that the voting age should be lowered to 16. If the combination of people who can vote from the legal voting age of eighteen to eleven years later is solely 31%, it is doubtful that many sixteen-year-olds would exercise their right to vote. Many of us out there are just pushed around because we are 'too young.'. The findings of our research are that political maturity does indeed increase with age until the mid-20s and then stabilizes. Each state has different laws regarding minimum age for driving unsupervised. In the past decade-and-a-half, a number of countries have discussed a further reform that would give voting rights to 16-year-olds. There are some people who think that lowering the voting age would lead to having to lower the age of basically everything else. I think many 16 year olds are mature enough and smart enough to handle important life decisions. The final contention is the thought that 16-year-olds are just as mature as 18-year-olds. Following are the descriptions of the advantages. Compulsory voting would ensure the governing party has the majority of the country on its side, and better reflect the wishes of the people. It is 50 years since Harold Wilson's government lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. The majority of states require drivers to be 16 or 16 and a half. Currently, there are ongoing discussions about whether to lower the voting age further. Mitigation of restrictions related to elections. Currently, there are ongoing discussions about whether to lower the voting age further. Gender equality. Voting can be regarded as human right and obligation. By most people's 16th birthday, they will either be in their final year of secondary school, or first year of college. It could reduce or even eliminate unsafe drinking activities. Advantages of e-voting. Teachers, parents, or even campaigning politicians could influence a younger person's vote and manipulate them to vote specific ways, which would actually defeat the purpose of lowering the voting age. At first, the minimum voting age being considered was sixteen years (Grover 2011, p. 4). Rather than lowering barriers to citizens' participation and engagement, the government in Westminster is actually trying to make it harder to vote - the upcoming voter ID trials in 10 local authorities will prevent people without the right ID from casting a vote at the polling station. Changing the voting age by any amount would not be fair to the percentage of younger voters that are active from ages 18- 24 ( The u.s cencus bureau reported 36% of them voted in 2012 ) , But there would be a even less percentage of active voters if the voting age was reduces by 2 . Lowering the age to 16 is not going to increase much of Get Access Check Writing Quality A Comparative Study on the Political Competence and Engagement of Underage and Adult Youth - Volume 53 Issue 3 . A constitutional amendment to lower the US voting age to 16 would require approval from two-thirds of both houses of Congress and three-fourths of the state legislatures (38 states). As of now, the UK uses the first-past-the-post system in their elections; this means that the candidate with the most votes becomes the MP for their constituency. Moving ou. A few countries, such as Austria, have decided to lower the voting age to 16, and others, such as Estonia, are in the process of implementing a similar change. The German city-state of Bremen has just lowered the voting age to 16. Brazil lowered the voting age from 18 to 16 in the 1988 constitution. Lower voting age- disadvantages-Many 16 year olds do not pay taxes and have fewer responsibilities. In some instances, a lower voting age has been used . Fifty years on, some believe the time has come to lower the voting age to 16. This is the exact opposite of what we should be doing. Those conclusions from the study alone clearly negates the common argument against lowering the voting age: those below 18 years of age aren't ready to cast their vote. It's is fairly quick to count the votes and work out who has won; meaning results can be declared relatively quickly after the polls close.