Why should Voting age be lowered?

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Why should Voting age be lowered?

Every person has the right to suffrage”. Although this is stated in our law and constitution, when it comes to voting rights, there is a restriction. In 1971, the 26th Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified by Congress, sets the national minimum voting age to 18 years old. But today, many youth voting-rights advocates in different states like Maryland, New York, Florida and others are campaigning to lower the voting rights restriction to 16 and 17 years old.

What do you think? Should voting age be lowered or not? Here are some yes and no’s.

Yes

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16 and 17 year olds are already mature enough to decide and make important decisions such as voting.
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Most of the 16 and 17 year olds today are working to earn money and pay their taxes. If they are old enough to have jobs then I don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t have any say regarding government issues.
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Getting them involved, makes them feel valued by society and in return they develop a sense of trust in the government who leads them.
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Letting the youth vote would increase voter turnout.
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Letting the youth participate would force politicians to take them and their interests seriously.

No

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Many adults do not consider 16 and 17 year olds mature enough to decide for themselves.
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Even if some laws decided by the government affects every age group, it doesn’t mean that they deserve the right to vote. Take toddlers and children for example.
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Although some 16 year olds may be considered mature enough, a majority of them have not yet established their own political views and are much likely not interested in issues like politics.
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The reason why a lot of people don’t want to participate in the election is because they don’t believe in the system or they don’t trust the politicians who are running.
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Letting the youth vote would be dangerous. They are very emotional and can be easily convinced when it comes to their well-being. What if they cast their entire vote to a famous celebrity because they just want to? Get the point?

Author: joanna

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One Response

  1. Me

    July 21, 2011 4:04 am

    We let the uninformed “youth” vote this time and look what we got! The guy from Kenya who’s destroying our country!

    Reply

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