Voting Age

"comprehend politiics"?

Explain. I don't believe that 16 year olds should vote, but I'd argue that I know a few that have the same grasp on worldly events and going ons, like politics, as 18-year-olds.

And maybe it's just you but I have a belief on how I think my country should run and where we should be right now and I'm 14. I don't profess to have a full on understanding, but I sure as hell have opinions.

Nope. Because it's not the age where you fully understand the basics of politics I guess.

I don't think so because 18 is the age you don't legally belong to your parents so it makes since that it's the voting age; your parents don't have any say in what you vote for.

I don't think 16 year olds should have the right to vote.
First of all, you're not a legal adult yet.
Early teenage years are supposed to be about being care-free and having fun.
If the government gave 16 year olds the right to vote, it would take away some of our care-free freedom.
Most 16 year olds don't know enough about politics, nor do they care enough, to know who to vote for and why.
Most 16 year old would vote for the canidate that makes promises such as the ones John Kerry made.
Most 16 year olds aren't mature enough.

That's all I have to say about that, and I am 16.

RayMoe:

I don't think 16 year olds should have the right to vote.
First of all, you're not a legal adult yet.
Early teenage years are supposed to be about being care-free and having fun.
If the government gave 16 year olds the right to vote, it would take away some of our care-free freedom.
Most 16 year olds don't know enough about politics, nor do they care enough, to know who to vote for and why.
Most 16 year old would vote for the canidate that makes promises such as the ones John Kerry made.
Most 16 year olds aren't mature enough.

That's all I have to say about that, and I am 16.

16 year olds are allowed to drive.
16 year olds are allowed to have sex.
16 year olds are allowed to leave home.
16 year olds are allowed to get married [with consent]

Maybe they aren't mature enough for all this but I don't see why they are allowed these rights, but not the right to vote.
I think driving and leaving home are decisions that require more maturity than voting, so I think 16 year olds should be given the right to vote.

Fallen From Grace:

RayMoe:

I don't think 16 year olds should have the right to vote.
First of all, you're not a legal adult yet.
Early teenage years are supposed to be about being care-free and having fun.
If the government gave 16 year olds the right to vote, it would take away some of our care-free freedom.
Most 16 year olds don't know enough about politics, nor do they care enough, to know who to vote for and why.
Most 16 year old would vote for the canidate that makes promises such as the ones John Kerry made.
Most 16 year olds aren't mature enough.

That's all I have to say about that, and I am 16.

16 year olds are allowed to drive.
16 year olds are allowed to have sex.
16 year olds are allowed to leave home.
16 year olds are allowed to get married [with consent]

Maybe they aren't mature enough for all this but I don't see why they are allowed these rights, but not the right to vote.
I think driving and leaving home are decisions that require more maturity than voting, so I think 16 year olds should be given the right to vote.

At 16 you're not allowed to drive on your own and have to have someone who's had their license for over 5 years in the passenger seat at all times. At least, that's how it is in Canada (Erm Ontario. I don't know all the driving laws everywhere). You also can't drive on most highways until you're 18 or have your full license.

When is the age of legal sex? It's always technically legal as long as the other person isn't over 18. In Illinois, the age of consent is 17, meaning you can have sex with someone who's older than 18. I'm not sure what the age of consent is everywhere else.
Driving is not that difficult if you pay attention. It gets you from point A to point B. Most teenagers usually don't obey all of the traffic laws because they want it to benifit them.
In Illinois, 16 year olds are not allowed to live on their owns. That age is 17. Like I've said, I'm not sure about other places.
They're also not allowed to get married.
I don't believe that driving requires more maturity that voting. When voting for someone, your vote contributes to the thousands of others in choosing someone who will be ruling and making some of the most important decisions for the country, which is the place where we live. Most 16 year olds don't care about the good of the entire country, they simply care about what they can get, and therefor would not make a vote based on the good of everyone, but simply for themselves.

Anyway, that's just my opinion.

RayMoe:

When is the age of legal sex? It's always technically legal as long as the other person isn't over 18. In Illinois, the age of consent is 17, meaning you can have sex with someone who's older than 18. I'm not sure what the age of consent is everywhere else.
Driving is not that difficult if you pay attention. It gets you from point A to point B. Most teenagers usually don't obey all of the traffic laws because they want it to benifit them.
In Illinois, 16 year olds are not allowed to live on their owns. That age is 17. Like I've said, I'm not sure about other places.
They're also not allowed to get married.
I don't believe that driving requires more maturity that voting. When voting for someone, your vote contributes to the thousands of others in choosing someone who will be ruling and making some of the most important decisions for the country, which is the place where we live. Most 16 year olds don't care about the good of the entire country, they simply care about what they can get, and therefor would not make a vote based on the good of everyone, but simply for themselves.

Anyway, that's just my opinion.

Well I'm in England, so it will probably differ. But the legal age for sex here is 16. The legal age for driving is 18 [but I was referring to America in my previous statement].
But I just think that's a harsh way of putting it. Sure, many 16 year olds don't care about the country, but there are many that do. They are part of that country, and if they feel responsible they should have the right to vote.
If they don't give a shit then nothing's stopping them from not voting.

RayMoe:

Most 16 year old would vote for the candidate that makes promises such as the ones John Kerry made.

And what was wrong with John Kerry? He was a hell of a lot better than Bush...
And considering the fact that most teens are influenced by parents, and since apparently most of the population voted for Bush, I think you'd be wrong on that statement. A couple years ago, we had this "election" in middle schools across the USA for president. Bush won. Although we were not sixteen, we were close to it.
:shifty

jaz; south pacific:

RayMoe:

Most 16 year old would vote for the candidate that makes promises such as the ones John Kerry made.

And what was wrong with John Kerry? He was a hell of a lot better than Bush...
And considering the fact that most teens are influenced by parents, and since apparently most of the population voted for Bush, I think you'd be wrong on that statement. A couple years ago, we had this "election" in middle schools across the USA for president. Bush won. Although we were not sixteen, we were close to it.
:shifty

In the Kerry vs. Bush election, Kerry got the most votes between 18-25 year olds.
In every other group Bush won.
So maybe young adults can form their own opinions...

I really find some of the opinions a bit...weak.

Most adults of any age couldn't care. They'll vote for the same party because they always did.

I left home (forcibly) age 16. I was made a full adult. I am responsible for everything; from turning up to school everyday to my electricity bills.

I fully understand politics and have done for many years now. I can't wait until i'm 18 so I can vote. That last statement made my mum laugh at me. What can I say? I give a damn.

Yes, 16 year olds should be allowed to vote because it's hardly going to make a huge difference. Any 16 year old who cares enough to vote should be allowed to.

Martian:

^
I agree. Besides they're too wrapped up in the lives of celebrities to notice what's actually going on in politics. Most of them are "rebels" and "anarchists" anyway (thank you wannabe political pop-punk bands). There are those who are interested - I was at a very young age but even then, they don't know what's going on. As pathetic as this sounds adults are more educated in politics and know that one politician will affect them more than another.

I wouldn't trust a 16 year old to vote, God knows what we'd end up with.

They wouldn't vote. It would be against their brand new principals.

Timerous Beastie.:

I really find some of the opinions a bit...weak.

Most adults of any age couldn't care. They'll vote for the same party because they always did.

I left home (forcibly) age 16. I was made a full adult. I am responsible for everything; from turning up to school everyday to my electricity bills.

I fully understand politics and have done for many years now. I can't wait until i'm 18 so I can vote. That last statement made my mum laugh at me. What can I say? I give a damn.

Yes, 16 year olds should be allowed to vote because it's hardly going to make a huge difference. Any 16 year old who cares enough to vote should be allowed to.

Then you're a good example of teens. :D
We're labeled as "stupid" and many other things by adults.
It's lame. Some of us do give a damn.

I think that there should be some kind of "maturity test" to test your maturity.
Then, even an adult could fail, yet a teen could pass. It makes sense.
I dunno. It's not a fool proof idea, but I think it's a good idea.

Honestly, no.
I don't.
16 years old barely know what's going on in the world, why should they vote when they don't understand?

Whitney.:

Honestly, no.
I don't.
16 years old barely know what's going on in the world, why should they vote when they don't understand?

I know some 16 year olds that have enough comprehension to actually make a wise vote. But, the number of teenagers that don't care and have no idea what's going...it's higher. And I agree with you. 16 year old's shouldn't be allowed to vote.

I'm 16. I'm pretty smart, I know a lot of things, but I wouldn't want the ablility to vote yet. I wouldn't want anyone my age making such a huge decision like that.

Boyscout.:

I know some 16 year olds that have enough comprehension to actually make a wise vote. But, the number of teenagers that don't care and have no idea what's going...it's higher. And I agree with you. 16 year old's shouldn't be allowed to vote.

I'm 16. I'm pretty smart, I know a lot of things, but I wouldn't want the ablility to vote yet. I wouldn't want anyone my age making such a huge decision like that.

Yeah. Some 16 year old's are really smart.
But a lot arent.

jaz; south pacific:

I think that there should be some kind of "maturity test" to test your maturity.
Then, even an adult could fail, yet a teen could pass. It makes sense.
I dunno. It's not a fool proof idea, but I think it's a good idea.

If you can be drafted and die in war, you should have the right to vote regardless of your maturity.
16-year-olds are not adults and should not be given the right to vote.
Yes, I would have killed to vote in the 2004 election, but I was not an adult and I couldn't.
If you can't stay out past midnight in your town, you shouldn't have the right to vote.

Most adults are pretty thick, if I'm honest.

There is such a low turn-out anyway. Yeah, any kid who doesn't care just won't vote like every adult who tosses their vote aside so freely. Any kid who does obviously knows about politics.

Timerous Beastie.:

Most adults are pretty thick, if I'm honest.

There is such a low turn-out anyway. Yeah, any kid who doesn't care just won't vote like every adult who tosses their vote aside so freely. Any kid who does obviously knows about politics.

Kids don't have rights. They only have the right to have a place to sleep, clothes to wear, food to eat, and to not be abused. Why should they get the right to vote?

druscilla; overdose.:

Timerous Beastie.:

Most adults are pretty thick, if I'm honest.

There is such a low turn-out anyway. Yeah, any kid who doesn't care just won't vote like every adult who tosses their vote aside so freely. Any kid who does obviously knows about politics.

Kids don't have rights. They only have the right to have a place to sleep, clothes to wear, food to eat, and to not be abused. Why should they get the right to vote?

Well, actually...since they are under the Human Rights act, they also have all those rights...including article 21, part three: Everyone shall have the right to vote in a democratic election

So...yeah.