Should the Voting Age be Lowered?

[Arkolon]

Voting. It's not a right. Unless we're using very different definitions of what rights are.

Look under "Non-natural rights or citizenship, created by social contract"

2 To vote in elections that are conducted fairly and honestly, by secret ballot.

Voting may not be a NATURAL right, but at least in the United States because of our social contract with the government (The Constitution, Bill of Rights, Amendments, etc.) it is still a right at this time, and will be for the foreseeable future.

As for the voting age I'd say keep it 18, but offer a political aptitude test of some kind if someone younger than that age wishes to vote, should they pass the test they would gain the right. Such a test would be based on a knowledge of the structure of government, the U.S Constitution, Bill of Rights and Constitutional Amendments, as well as a section on contemporary issues where they would have to display basic knowledge of some of the political issues being debated.

Ahah, if you think you're going to get me to accept social contract theory, you should seriously think again.

[Nickel Empire]

Except minors usually aren't tried as adults. In most cases no they do not share adult responsibilities. That isn't really a valid argument either.

But they can be charged as adults. Hell, in some countries, minors can be executed.

That's some other country. Your talking about the u.s.

[Caninope]

But they can be charged as adults. Hell, in some countries, minors can be executed.

That's some other country. Your talking about the u.s.

Since 1976, 22 people have been executed for criminal acts committed as minors (albeit no one since 1959 has actually been a minor when they were executed, mainly due to the long appeals process involved).

[Of Moravecs]

Not anyplace civilized

Unless you hold that the US is not anyplace civilized (although it's more like adults are executed for crimes committed as juveniles).

I'd consider US jurisdictions that execute minors to be uncivilized

[Great Kleomentia]

It should definitely be lowered to 16, imo.

[Nimzonia]

Raise it to 21. People shouldn't vote until they have more experience of living in the real world (i.e. going to work instead of school). Also, the ability to vote should be rescinded after the age of 65.

[Caninope]

Raise it to 21. People shouldn't vote until they have more experience of living in the real world (i.e. going to work instead of school)

That's not really a great argument. I know a large number of university students I would trust to vote and a large number of people in the workforce I wouldn't trust to vote.

[Great Kleomentia]

Raise it to 21. People shouldn't vote until they have more experience of living in the real world (i.e. going to work instead of school). Also, the ability to vote should be rescinded after the age of 65.

Age doesn't guarantee life experience. You can have a 12 year old that's more mature and thinks better than a 18 year old.

[Nimzonia]

Raise it to 21. People shouldn't vote until they have more experience of living in the real world (i.e. going to work instead of school). Also, the ability to vote should be rescinded after the age of 65.

Age doesn't guarantee life experience. You can have a 12 year old that's more mature and thinks better than a 18 year old.

Yes, you can have one or two of them, but if you take 10 million 12 year olds, and 10 million 18 year olds, I rather think the 18 year olds will on average have the better informed opinions.

But hey, if you want to suggest we give out voting licenses on a case by case basis with only the more mature and capable qualifying for them, then I'm all in favour of that! But, since that's harder to do, it would be easier to just exclude all the kids and old people.

[Pandeeria]

God no it shouldn't be lowered, keep it at 18.

[Earth in Roughly 1000 Years]

I think a better solution is not to try minors as adults. Voting age is good where it is.

[Immoren]

Voting age should be determined for each person individually via random number generator. *nods*

[Seleucas]

Bump it up anywhere from 25 to 30, cognitive development isn't complete until around then, and the demographic below hasn't really established themselves yet in terms of career, family, homes, etc. and have a greater tendency to be tax receivers rather than taxpayers compared to other age groups.

Voting age absolutely should not be lowered, but the drinking age should.

[Blasveck]

I'm sure we're all well qualified to discuss the merits of raising/lowering the voting age, especially when a majority of NSG is younger than 18.

[Seleucas]

I'm sure we're all well qualified to discuss the merits of raising/lowering the voting age, especially when a majority of NSG is younger than 18.

NSG is a good place to start disenfranchising youngsters, then.

[MERIZoC]

Voting age should be determined for each person individually via random number generator. *nods*

"Mr. Jones, I can inform you that you will be able to vote for a candidate in exactly 387 years."

[Geilinor]

It shouldn't be lowered in the US until we get better civics education. http://news.stanford.edu/news/2013/november/civics-education-report-112613.html

[Earth in Roughly 1000 Years]

Raise it to 21. People shouldn't vote until they have more experience of living in the real world (i.e. going to work instead of school). Also, the ability to vote should be rescinded after the age of 65.

There is was a very valid reason is was lowered to 18, a much more valid one than the "argument" you've just put forth.

[Ravenstskia]

If you are subject to laws, then you should be able to vote on those laws. Minors are subject to laws (for example, they can be charged with underage drinking).

If you pay taxes, then you should be able to vote on those taxes. Minors pay taxes (esp. things like VAT).

I think that settles it.

[Geilinor]

If you are subject to laws, then you should be able to vote on those laws. Minors are subject to laws (for example, they can be charged with underage drinking).

Does that mean everyone over the age of criminal responsibility should have the right to vote? That would require giving very young children suffrage.

[Ravenstskia]

If you are subject to laws, then you should be able to vote on those laws. Minors are subject to laws (for example, they can be charged with underage drinking).

Does that mean everyone over the age of criminal responsibility should have the right to vote? That would require giving very young children suffrage.

Or you could raise the age of criminal responsibility. I don't have a problem with either solution.

[Bacopa]

In the United States it should be returned to 21 - most of the 18-19-20 year olds I deal with openly admit they don't vote

[Atlanticatia]

16 possibly. However in the US adulthood generally starts at 18, whereas in many countries (such as the UK) you can move out without permission, begin a tenancy, voluntarily leave school, give consent for legal things, etc at 16. So I think we should have a gradual move towards giving people independence at a younger age, starting with dropping the drinking age, and possibly lowering the voting age. if the voting age were lowered, we'd have to have more civics education in school. I think that by the age of 16, most people have political opinions that they've formed on their own (not their parents' opinions), and are as competent as someone who is 18.
I don't know if I 100% support dropping the voting age, but it's definitely worth taking a look at. The government should do some studies to see what the effects of dropping the voting age would be, and make sure there's more education about civics and the political process.

[Caninope]

Bump it up anywhere from 25 to 30, cognitive development isn't complete until around then, and the demographic below hasn't really established themselves yet in terms of career, family, homes, etc. and have a greater tendency to be tax receivers rather than taxpayers compared to other age groups.

Voting age absolutely should not be lowered, but the drinking age should.

I'll agree with that, so long as all of the responsibilities of people between the ages of 18 and 25 are removed. If we're going to remove the rights from them, then there's no reason to let them serve in the military (or force them to, at that) or force them to serve on juries. While we're at it, we might as well require the parents have a duty to care for their children until their 25.

Rights and responsibilities are inextricably linked. Trying to separate the two is illogical.

[Socialist Tera]

18 is good. It should be that age.