Should we lower voting age to 16? ( US )

[shiftyhits]

I Believe when you reach the age of 16 you basically know as much about a candidate then lets say a 24 yr old. This would also increase votes so a lot more people can have a small voice.



Whats your take on this?

[Legend™]

It's not about how much you know, 16 year olds don't care about voting because they are not directly affected by the decisions. It should be the age of majority.
The 16 year old lifestyle compared to the 24 year old lifestyle, is very different. It's a maturity, not to say there aren't mature 16 year old but it is definitely the minority who deem themselves mature enough to even consider voting.

The effort it would take the government to implement a new voting age isn't worth it.

[[MPGH]Doc]

I Believe when you reach the age of 16 you basically know as much about a candidate then lets say a 24 yr old.

Let me guess. Are you 16?

[Tsuchiro]

I'm sorry but no. 16 year olds are easily influenced in their decisions and most will vote what their parents vote.

[Aborted]

16 year olds have absolutely no life experience nor grasp on the inner workings of society.
Hell, to that extent neither do 18 year olds.

[shiftyhits]

First off im actually 17 but I still beleive 16 yr olds should be able to vote. Second off for the 16 yr old's that don't vote because they don't care, it doesn't matter that their choice just because some teenagers don't care for their country doesn't mean they should ruin it for people who do care. Lastly for people who are saying that a 16 yr old is easily persuaded into thinking what other people think is 100% some 16 yr old's will jump on a bandwagon. But the truth Many people jump on bandwagons for a certain politician due to ads on the T.V so saying 16 yr olds is the only people who do it is just singling them out of the massive amount of people that do ( every age ).

[Legend™]

There is no reason to have them vote.. Just wait till' you're 18

[Empire]

I think we should raise it to 21+, but I understand 18 because of the military.

Generally 16 year olds:

1. Are easily influenced by hormones/puberty.
2. Have no job experience
3. Have no understanding of money
4. Have never been to college
5. Have no real concept of a career.
6. Have no real education.(for a career).
7. Do not understand politics at all.
8. Are easily influenced by peer pressure
9. Can't think for themselves
10. Can't support themselves
11. Never owned a home
12. Don't have kids
13. Don't have a spouse
14. Have never bought a car with their own money
15. Don't even have money
16. Are essentially freeloaders by society's standards(they don't contribute to the economy)
17. Have no understanding of government systems and real world impact
18. Treat life without respect.
19. Treat others without the proper respect


20. Are generally ignorant of everything and anything.
-War
-Religion
-Economics
(to name a few).



What's the worse part is that they think they are hot shit. Seriously, this stupid 17 year old thinks he knows shit compared to a 24 year old.

Bitch, you don't know jack.

[SliceNDice]

A world run by Kids wont be good :/

[Airmid]

The issue isn't age, it's education. Rather than lower the voting age, I think a more effective solution would be to try and educate young adults on politics and how it could affect their future. Granted, not all teenagers are as ignorant or incompetent as many of the people above have stated, but most of them are simply not interested in how a country is run. Therefore IMO, lowering the voting age is something that would be worthwhile only if/when young adults are properly educated AND show interest in politics because hell, there are many adults who don't even know who they're voting for or aren't really interested either - never mind teenagers.

[Empire]

The issue isn't age, it's education. Rather than lower the voting age, I think a more effective solution would be to try and educate young adults on politics and how it could affect their future. Granted, not all teenagers are as ignorant or incompetent as many of the people above have stated, but most of them are simply not interested in how a country is run. Therefore IMO, lowering the voting age is something that would be worthwhile only if/when young adults are properly educated AND show interest in politics because hell, there are many adults who don't even know who they're voting for or aren't really interested either - never mind teenagers.

And genetics.

Honestly they should raise it to 21 with the military age. But I doubt that will happen so 18 it is.

[Airmid]

Honestly they should raise it to 21 with the military age.

What's wrong with the current enlistment age?

[Empire]

What's wrong with the current enlistment age?

................. I don't believe america's youth is able to make an educated decision at 18.

[Airmid]

................. I don't believe america's youth is able to make an educated decision at 18.

Well that's the beauty of being a soldier. You're not exactly required to make educated decisions. Just be physically fit, mentally stable, and follow your orders and you're good to go

[Empire]

Well that's the beauty of being a soldier. You're not exactly required to make educated decisions. Just be physically fit, mentally stable, and follow your orders and you're good to go

illustrating my point even further.