Although many aspects are taken into account to form a political system and create outcomes that will improve the strength of a nation, none are more controversial than the debate on voting age and if modifications should be made. Minimum voting age can be argued as the most effective way to ensure a sufficiently adroit electorate. However even if voting was lowered to a particular age, this would not affect the outcome of voter turn-out, considering the many other age groups choosing not to vote, or even non-resident/citizens being restricted to this opportunity for that matter. With respect to this, a person in favour of keeping the voting age where it is at would argue that countries who are rather surplus on an economic standpoint, still have higher voting ages, allowing only their mature, educated citizens make these important contributions to a country. On the contrary, a person in favour on lowering the voting age could argue how bringing teenagers into this democratic process will bring more competition on different views and a higher turnout, however we must keep in mind that people below the age of eighteen have other responsibilities to attend too and could very likely vote based on ideas that they see best fit as an immature, foolish minor, or on the ideas their elders put on them. The purpose of this essay will be to emphasis why voting ages should not be lowered, and what could potentially be an alternate outcome to increase voter-turnout besides giving our youth the vote.
As lowering the voting age is, and will be an ongoing issue for years to come, we must consider that at an age so young, is one really ready to let youth make such valuable decisions. The system of mandatory voting thus increases the turnout ra...
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...re allowing our youth to have this right, a nation must create a motive in already registered citizens, forming tactics that make voting more agreeable, which in turn will create higher turnout, and more well informed decisions. In regards to our youth however, first allowing stoicism, maturity, education and proper opinions that have a legitimate motive as to why that individual chooses to vote for a specific party, will create a stronger nation in having all educated voices represented. In relation, if a vote is allowed to be sixteen why not decrease drinking ages to sixteen as well, it is no secret that almost all our youth consume alcohol ‘illegally’, and what could be so different; it is only a recipe for disaster. Leaving the voting age to where it is at, is not only generous enough, but appropriate, as our youth are just not prepared that early in a lifetime.
...adults compared to older adults were less likely to respond that voting was extremely important for good citizenship (133). He concludes that it is too late for the generation of young adults that do not feel voting is an important civic responsibility, however, that it is not too late to convince them that politics matter by showing them that they are giving their opportunity to make important decisions that may impact their lives to others who have different ideas. One may agree with Wattenberg’s idea that habits follow people throughout their lives instead of changing as they cycle in life. His personal accounts are an impactful way to illustrate the importance of building a sense of duty at a young age and carrying that responsibility throughout one’s life.
It’s very unsettling to know that there was a six percent decrease in young voters (ages 18-29) in the 2012 election compared to 2008 (Circle Youth data). In 2007 the National Conference of State Legislatures publicly released a report and data set on voter turnout in democratic countries. This is a quote from that report titled Getting out the Vote, “It should be noted that in 1972, 18-year-olds were added to the eligible voting population, thus decreasing the percentages. Nonetheless, voter tu...
It will take great strides to create a system in which American citizens will be represented in the political process, and only then will young Americans be truly compelled to vote. One way to achieve this goal is through the adoption of a system of proportional representation. This paired with the implementation of Internet voting, increased voter education, and same day voting will ensure a rise in voter turnouts and youth participation in government.
If the voting age is lowered, it is true that a higher voter turnout would be a result. Other countries such as Belgium, Germany, and Austria have a lower voting age and enjoy a higher percentage of voter turnout. Belgium ranks at 93% voter participation, while the U.S. trails behind at just 38% turnout in congressional elections. These facts seem to indicate that a lower voting age has a direct impact on voter participation. However, there is no concrete proof that a lower voting age directly impacts voter turnout. I believe the problem lies deeper than age.
... equal system. The lower age could also encourage and interest youth much more in political processes and parties as now they would actually be able to impact the way they are governed and who is governing them. Politics would be much more noticeable in schools and the general knowledge of politics and the political process would drastically increase. The youth would also be more likely to develop earlier the skills and potentials needed in later life politically and even socially. In conclusion when all is said and done I, personally would like to say the voting age lowered to sixteen for many of the reasons above. There will be many people opposing this movement but I think it is time for the youth of Canada to be heard and if they wish they should have the opportunity to vote and express their opinions and choices.
The voting age must be lowered if America is to be a free and democratic nation, and youth are to be granted their human right to take part in the business of their nation by being allowed to vote. Works Cited D. G. The "Elective Election" Education Week on the Web! 10 Feb. 1998. http://www.edweek.org/ew/vol-11/13boxh11.
He focuses on political participation and civic engagement. This academic article focuses on “the likelihood of voting in the 2013 federal election, as well as participation in non-electoral political activities, such as signing petitions or participating in demonstrations or public meetings’ (Turcotte 2015). The author emphasizes that there are multiple ways for the younger generation to be involved within the political arena without voting. Youth usually get involved when “(1) there is an emphasis on specific causes and issues (for example, the environment, access to education or gender equality) as opposed to the more general political issues discussed in an election; and (2) participation in social groups or movements are less hierarchical and less officially organized (for example, interest groups) as opposed to involvement in traditional political organizations, such as political parties or unions” (Turcotte 2015). The youth of this generation are proven to desire a more liberal approach to politics.
The book Is Voting for Young People? By Martin P. Wattenberg is an interesting read on the reasons as to why the younger generations that are legally allowed to vote are not showing up to the polls on voting day. Wattenberg explores how and where the younger generations are even gaining their political knowledge and how that is effecting their desire and/or feeling of obligation to vote. In the following paragraphs, you will get to know and understand some of the evidence as to why so many young people do not vote according to Wattenberg as well as my opinions on some of his arguments and claims. Wattenberg first explores the effects that reading the newspaper has on voters today.
Malcolm X once said, “The media’s the most powerful entity on earth… Because they control the minds of the masses.” With the help of advanced media, arguments continue to erupt in the United States on whether we should lower the voting age to 16. Some citizens say lowering the voting age could be beneficial to the country and others oppose that claim. Americans often trust what reporters write in articles and say on television and radio stations. They expect all that they report is the truth, but issues such as lowering the voting age can be interpreted in many different ways.
Although there are 44 million eligible young voters ages 18-29, in 2012 only 45% of them voted. These young people make up one fifth, or 21%, of the eligible voting population, yet they often do not vote. Voting is a tremendous gift. Young people in many other countries around the world have to fight to gain this right. In America, voting is often taken for granted by all age groups, but the youth take it for granted the most. In this paper, the reason why young people do not vote will be explored and solutions as to how to get them to vote will be proposed.
According to researcher Henry Milner about 60 per cent of young people have little ability to make relevant distinctions about politics in Canada. This shows the ignorance held towards politics in the lives of Canadians. Attesting to the fact, forcing people into voting when they are
Did you know that the voting age was not always 18 in Canada? Until 1970 the legal voting age was 21. However this caused a lot of controversy. Citizens aged 18-21 reasoned that since they were old enough to fight and possibly lose their lives in war for their country they should be able to elect who would make decisions and represent them in government. 1970, a revised Canada Elections Act lowered the voting age and the age of candidacy from 21 years to 18. What did Canada’s youth do with this newfound right? As little as possible! On average less than 38.8% of Canadian youth from the age of 18-25 vote. The failure of young adolescents to vote has spawned much uncertainty and worry from government officials making them feel that lowering the
Government officials have considered lowering the voting age to sixteen from its current standard of eighteen. This would not be a wise decision because people under the age of eighteen are referred to as children for a reason. The reason is that they have clearly not completed cognitive development. In humans, a muscle located at the front of the brain, called the frontal lobe, is responsible for the reasoning skills and maturity of one’s self. This muscle is not fully advanced until the age of twenty-one. “In calm situations, teenagers can rationalize almost as well as adults. But stress can hijack what physicians call, "hot cognition" and decision-making. The frontal lobes help put the brakes on a desire for thrills and taking risk -- a building block of adolescence; but, they're also one of the last areas of the brain to develop fully”. (Source A). This statement notifies that there is no shame in the lacking understanding of a teenage brain, but that they should be given the full extent of time to mature before being handed such responsibilities as voting. Research has indicated that throughout its lifetime, the human brain undergoes changes. “You may have noticed a paradox that exists among students today. Although there are exceptions to the rule, this generation of kids is advanced intellectually, but behind emotionally. They are missing many of the marks of maturity they should possess”. (Source B). Teens also normally remain in a more insecure phase, that they eventually grow out of. However, before progressing from this phase, teens are easily swayed by their pee...
Something else? The general public has a tendency to see youth voters as “political dropouts” and many people have ideas as to why youth don’t vote. This paper seeks to straighten out some of that information and provide the facts. It will explore 5 common reasons that youth don’t vote.
In “You’re 16, You’re Beautiful and You’re a Voter,” author Anya Kamenetz states her belief that the voting age should be lowered to sixteen. Kamenetz gives several premises to her argument.