Searched but found nothing, if theres post sry!

DO you think the voting age is fair? I don't think we should wait til were 18. i think it should be 15 because teens are very aware and they should have a choice to vote for who they want to run their country. *my opinion*

opps meant to put 15 sry :o

Ummm...I think 18 is a good age, because most people who are 18 don't vote anyway. I don't think that 13 year old children are aware enough about the goverment and most the issues involved in voting to be able to vote. At 13 years old, most are still learning the foundation of a goverment, and so their votes would be irrelavent to running the country. Trust me, when I was 13, I didn't care who was president, all I cared about was trying to get through Middle School.

Searched but found nothing, if theres post sry!

DO you think the voting age is fair? I don't think we should wait til were 18. i think it should be 13 because teens are very aware and they should have a choice to vote for who they want to run their country. *my opinion*

Who is running for Congress in your district? What are the initiatives that are on your ballot for your state? Who's running for your school board? Do you have a county mayor or county government official election this year? What are the names of your current representatives and Senators?

Most adults that currently have the right to vote don't even know the answers to these questions. How do you expect teenagers to do the research required to know the answers when they have a hard enough time just making it through school?

I don't think we should wait til were 18. i think it should be 13 because teens are very aware and they should have a choice to vote for who they want to run their country. *my opinion*

Teens, or about 98% of them at least, are not aware. You will see that once you get past our current voting age and look back. I grant that there are a couple who may be educated and could provide a good vote in an election, but the idea of all these 13 year olds and their undeveloped impressionable minds swaying something as important as our presidential election scares me a lot. I don't know you personally, so theres a chance you might be mature enough, but I'm certainly not willing to grant that credit to the rest of your peers.

Jessica, 13??? Come one, most teens aren't even aware of politics, nor have studied them enough to know what's going on! Therefor, their vote could be based upon whatever, or they may just do that inky binky donkey thing! Come on, thirteen?! :rolleyes:

Who is running for Congress in your district? What are the initiatives that are on your ballot for your state? Who's running for your school board? Do you have a county mayor or county government official election this year? What are the names of your current representatives and Senators?

Most adults that currently have the right to vote don't even know the answers to these questions. How do you expect teenagers to do the research required to know the answers when they have a hard enough time just making it through school?

Gasp! OMG, do ToB and I finally agree on something? ;)

Yeah, like totally why not let, like, babies vote right as they come out of the womb? It's sooooo totally unfair that babies can't vote! Well sure they can't read, or understand spoken English, or even punch the choices by themselves, but why not? I think it should be a Constitutional right.

But seriously folks...we have to draw the line SOMEWHERE.

<3 Mary

The voting age was already lowered to 18 yrs since that age group were eligible for the draft (at the time) but couldn't vote. The case from lowering the age from 21 to 18 had a reason. Lowering it even further, however, does not.

To answer the question: no, the voting age should not be lowered to 13.

The voting age was already lowered to 18 yrs since that age group were eligible for the draft (at the time) but couldn't vote. The case from lowering the age from 21 to 18 had a reason. Lowering it even further, however, does not.

To answer the question: no, the voting age should not be lowered to 13.

Thank you Miles! I actually think it wouldn't be a bad idea to raise it to 21, because alot of teens won't be voting this year, and this election is critical. So I think that if they are 21, the will have *hopefully* matured since 18, and then they will realize life isn't a game, and take elections seriously, and then hopefully they can vote responcibly (spelling?) :)

Until you know more than the basics of politics, you should not be able to vote. I can honestly tell you that at 13 years old, I didn't know shit about politics. I'm currently taking an American Government class in school and I've learned a lot from it. I feel much more confident with my knowledge of politics than I've ever been. If I could (meaning if I were 18), I probably wouldn't vote this year because I don't feel like I'm totally ready to vote. There are still some things that I'm confused about.. and I'm not about to vote for one candidate just because I don't like the other candidate..

..which brings me to my next point. I know a lot of people who are voting for Kerry just because they don't like Bush.. and these people are adults. If you're going to vote for Kerry just because you don't like Bush, don't vote at all. I don't think age has anything to do with being "ready" to vote. I think it has to do with your knowledge of politics and your maturity. But like SangReal said, we have to draw the line somewhere. I think the voting age is fine. You're considered an adult at 18 so you should be able to make a mature enough decision as to who is the right candidate to vote for.

I know a lot of people who are voting for Kerry just because they don't like Bush.. and these people are adults. If you're going to vote for Kerry just because you don't like Bush, don't vote at all.

You are wise beyond your years, young apprentice.

If you're going to vote for Kerry just because you don't like Bush, don't vote at all.

But then Kerry would get ZERO votes. Seriously. lol
Nobody "likes" Kerry. They hate Bush. The majority of them are voting based on hate, which is a sad state of affairs.....

But seriously folks...we have to draw the line SOMEWHERE.

But what about that slippery slope you're always going on about?
http://img35.exs.cx/img35/6663/grin.png

Searched but found nothing, if theres post sry!

DO you think the voting age is fair? I don't think we should wait til were 18. i think it should be 13 because teens are very aware and they should have a choice to vote for who they want to run their country. *my opinion*Sorry , I don't want it to be 13. Come on, we're in the middle of school , under pressure of a load of tests, only getting used to life, I don't want to also vote for what president I want and how I want to change the Constatution. I hardly even know what half of it is about.

Do you?

Anyway, 13 year olds are only just out of childhood , and alot of us still aren't. I'm only learning about the goverment and the way it runs. We don't want to be voting about something we hardly even understand.

I think the voting age is fine the way it is. Many people don't even know how the government works at 18, and I wouldn't trust many of my peers to pick the president, I'm one of the few people in my class that watches the news shows and researches all this political stuff and at thirteen I knew absolutly nothing about the politcal system.
So if they did decide to change the voting age I think the minimum should be 16, because at least some of us know politics, not many, but some.

Sixteen is reasonable. At 16, you're trusted enough to operate a 2 ton piece of machinery, ie, a car. Therefore, you should be trusted to contribute to important decisions that are being made around you, and that will quite possibly affect your future.
Thirteen is not. You have too much to deal with, what with everything changing all the time, your opinions on EVERYTHING changing, not to mention some people are quite impressionable at that age, they follow what other people say, they adopt their opinions, plus, starting high school, which can load on a lot of excess work and stress, and learning about the political system, and if you can't learn all of those things, making uninformed decisions,ie, just picking a candidate because your friend's mother's grandmother's second cousin's ex-boyfriend said that the other candidate is wrong can be detrimental,and can change your future. In other words, making uninformed decisions can really make you regret it, after you learn more about the candidate that YOU helped elect to office. Thirteen year olds simply aren't ready for a decision like this. Yes, I think that they deserve more privileges, and possibly more respect than some get, but the right to choose our president shouldn't be one at that age.
rory

I think the voting age is fine.

Political opinions have nothing to do with being able to drive, have a job, etc. Its not like that drinking age thing- where if you can get married, drive a car, etc. and still cant drink.

I think there are way too many misinformed and uneducated people under 18 (and even those over, but teenagers tend to be more easily influenced or just too stubborn) and i am actually glad no one under 18 can vote. I know there are those who are very educated and might be only 14 or 15, but for now, i think 18 is safe.

Because i ask some ppl why they vote kerry, they say:
"Because Bush is an idiot!"

Thats not a reason. Thats your opinion.
Funny thing is, they have no real facts they can pull up to show why hes an idiot. And vice versa, for Kerry. Opinions are invalid if you cannot back them up with truth and facts.

Anywho, with the school system in this county/state, gov't and economics is taken your Senior year.

But what about that slippery slope you're always going on about?
http://img35.exs.cx/img35/6663/grin.png
Wait...wasn't I going on about it again? About babies voting? And eventually cats and dogs. Letting 13 yr olds vote would be a slippery slope.

<3 Mary

I was actually canvassing (for MoveOn.org [please don't laugh :/]) in my neighborhood, and you'd be amazed at how many adults were voting Kerry based on the Anybody But Bush philosophy. Or because they were long time democrats and would never think of voting republican, regardless of the issues. I really learned a lot about the voter stereotypes doing it :P

Anyway, I'm currently 17, and personally speaking, I have a pretty intense social studies background. Admittedly, last election I was in 8th grade and would go ahead and classify myself as ignorant. I was anti-Bush on the basis that my grandparents thought Gore was the anti-Christ, so there was a huge rebellious element to my opinions. Now, though, I consider myself a lot more politically aware and active, and I'm indescribably frustrated with this election.

I like the statement that if you can drive, you should be able to vote.

If you think about it, why would a lot of high schoolers be familiar with election issues if they don't have a say in them? Theoritically, if the voting age were lowered, there could be a lot more awareness in the age demograph. Plus, there are multiple ways to help out with that. I know that in most schools in my county a Civics class is required your freshman year. And, I know this part will sound hokey, but there could be clubs started, meetings and assemblies held that would help raise awareness and involvement in high school kids.

The problem mostly lies in convincing older people that the age demograph is one that can be influential as informed voters, which I think is possible. Not 100%, but I think that there is *some* amount of potential here, especially considering that a lot of state wide amendments affect education, thus us.

For example, Amendments 3A/3B over here in Colorado are county bond issues to fund education. Overcrowding is becoming an *extreme* problem in a lot of schools, and the buildings are falling apart. Without the funding, the schools can't be expanded, various educational technicians are going to lose their jobs, etc. If this so directly affects us, why can't we have a say in it?

Then again, there's also a problem in convincing 16+ year olds themselves to care. But, consider the recent campaigns like Rock the Vote, which have gotten a lot of the younger voters involved this election year. If there were enough programs like this, to also raise awareness, I think that lowering the age could be a definite reality.

I don't know if any of that made sense, I'm sort of distraught over the election :(

I agree with what pretty much everyone else said-18 is fine. I would say that 16 is reasonable too, but not for the majority of 16 year olds.

I'm 17, and only this year have I started to really keep up with world issues and watch the news, etc. Last year, I hardly knew anything about the important problems that we face today, and would probably not be able to carry on an intelligent conversation on the death penalty, abortion, Iraq, drug abuse, or anything like that. At 13, I was even more ignorant-the thing I was most concerned about was being popular. :rolleyes: The changes that teens go through between the ages of 13-18 are HUGE. At 18, you're able to make much more informed decisions, when at 13, you still need a lot of guidance.

I really wish I could have voted in this election, but I'll just wait until next year, when I'll be the minimum voting age. There's no telling how much I'll learn in the next year, and so there's no reason for the age to be lower than it already is.

Who is running for Congress in your district? What are the initiatives that are on your ballot for your state? Who's running for your school board? Do you have a county mayor or county government official election this year? What are the names of your current representatives and Senators?

Most adults that currently have the right to vote don't even know the answers to these questions. How do you expect teenagers to do the research required to know the answers when they have a hard enough time just making it through school?

Jess ToB is right. You're only 13 y.o. It's too soon for you to think about voting, 'cause you don't have enough knowledge in this area...

I have to agree with paperXflowers, I think they need to lower the voting age. However, I think there should be some sort of test that the minor has to fill out, like getting your learner's permit. If it were just lowered to the point where anyone could vote at the age of 13, it would be anarchy. But there are a good handful of teens (such as myself) who are underage and have followed the election race and have looked at the candidates, but are too young to vote and have their opinion heard. It's taught in our schools, but it doesn't do students any good if they can't use their knowledge!! And then they wonder why no one ever votes when they turn 18. All I know is that our current electoral process is screwed up.

After the election here, I noticed a lot of kids, some as young as 8, writing to the papers complaining that they didn't get to vote. They said they believed they had a right to decide about who runs the country. These kids were only eight, yet they knew about Prime Ministers and all that...
I think abyone who wants to vote, should be allowed to, provided of course, that they understand about what voting means.

After the election here, I noticed a lot of kids, some as young as 8, writing to the papers complaining that they didn't get to vote. They said they believed they had a right to decide about who runs the country. These kids were only eight, yet they knew about Prime Ministers and all that...
I think abyone who wants to vote, should be allowed to, provided of course, that they understand about what voting means.


I agree with you. We have to go the next 4 years with the decision that was made by millions of Americans. Many that may have even voted may not even live through this whole term(sorry I did not know how to put that) They had a say on what 'OUR' FUTURE will be like. This was one of the biggest elections ever in History. I believe the Voting age should be lowered. I know if many of the 14-17 year olds could have voted that the president selelction would have been different. no we the future are going to have to live with these desicions. which in ways really sticks!!!! and alot the the president wants to put into affect is totally WRONG. so that is how I feel on this all.

and alot the the president wants to put into affect is totally WRONG.

Please remember this is a debate on voting age, not what you think of the current president's policies. The thread for THAT has already been locked.

I still think that 18 is good, 17 or even 16 is fine I guess, but we need people who have been around long enough to see what a goverment does in action, not just by reading about it. At age 13 or 14, you are still in that process when you are deciding what you want to do with the rest of your life when you apply for college in a couple of years, not what the country needs.

I am kinda torn on this issue.

On one hand I do feel that 18 is the age at which most people can start figuring out their own opinions and actually understand what's going on in our government. Unfortunatly a lot don't care to excersise their right to vote.

However, when you vote especially for president, they are representing you and affect you for at least 4years. when you are 16 you have no say whatsoever, but the older you get the more these laws that are put into play affect your everyday life.

I don't know if that made sense, but I guess what i'm saying is it's weird to me that someone can have no say in an election, but ultimatly is affected by the outcome.

I do not believe however that lowering the voting age would do any good to voter turnout. I do think the testing idea that was mentioned was an interesting idea. If they had to take the test to even qualify to vote then they might just be willing to get off their butts to go to the polls.

Hell, I'm 20 and am only now beginning to really understand how Govt works.

They let you test out the water during grade school, but it was not until I took some college classes on it that it seems to come together.

18 seems a bit young to me, but I'm not going to fight that. Anything below 18 is too young IMO. I don't agree with the "If you can drive, you can vote" statement. That makes no sense at all in my mind. I fail to see how driving a car makes you eligible to vote.

All driving a car does is demonstrate that you have developed your motor skills. Wow... eye hand coordination. Jee, I think they are ready to vote!


Honestly though, I think young teens would vote under peer pressure versus what they really thought. Even if they could make up their mind, they probably would not understand the system enough to make an informed decision.

Not that my rant was needed, but who cares.

For the voting age, I think it should start at like 14/15, but you should have to take a test before you vote that tests you on how informed you are just to prove you know what you're doing. If you pass, you vote, if you fail, you have to wait until next year. That way the people who are only voting for the h*ll of it can't.

For the voting age, I think it should start at like 14/15, but you should have to take a test before you vote that tests you on how informed you are just to prove you know what you're doing. If you pass, you vote, if you fail, you have to wait until next year. That way the people who are only voting for the h*ll of it can't.

I disagree, who would get to write the test? And also a ligitimate voter who is of a more mature age might fail on a technicality when they are well enough informed to make a valid voting contribution. When I was 15, I would have voted for The mad raving monster looney party (yes, there is a party called that in the UK) because they sounded cool, I was well informed but im-mature, I couldnt see the big picture, and that voting wasnt a joke. Im glad they only just let me vote this year.

With a few rare exceptions, most people under 18 could care less about politics. (A lot of people 18+ don't, either). I know I didn't until eariler this year (after I turned 19). I also think most people under 18 are incapible of educating themselves enough on each candidate and most people would just vote for whoever is popular with their friends or P.Diddy. Hell, a lot of the people that DID vote voted for Kerry just because Master P and P.Diddy said to.

My opinion is..


If your old enough to vote and go to war.. then you should be old enough to drink a beer when you get shot.
All mature" rights should go together. I honestly think they should raise it... because when your eighteen years old your usually still in highschool. Highschool students are not mature.

love[/COLOR]
A highschool student.

I have friends who can back of there views and friends that don't, all of my friends on one side can all of my friends on the other side can't, i won't say which side as a TRUE attempt not to be able to tell what my opionion is but my opionion is so strong it will come out eventully... well what i think is:

If you can back up or opionion you can vote... If not you can't vote, a level of awerness not of how old you are.

i find it odd that at 16 your responsible enough to drive but not resposible to vote until your 18.

but anyway, i dont think theres anything wrong with voting for the opossing canditate if you dont like the other. obviously i do not like bush..and sadly the alternative is kerry, but to not vote at all when you have a real opinion formed based on facts would be stupid even if you voting for the kerry because you dont like bush. Obviously if you dont like Bush and have decent reasons to back that up your not gonna want to see him in office again right? so why not vote the other way.

though im 15 and feel im personaly ready to vote because ive done my research, i dont think 15 year olds should vote...just thinking of some of the students at my school voting scares me.

im definatly ready to vote when next election comes around, and if the next Bush(if he runs) is anything like the one now you can bet that he wont get my vote ;) ....but maybe things will change, we can only hope


well those are my thoughts...though im only 15 and nothing i say matters for anything i have my right to express :p

I think the voting age should stay at 18. Most teenagers don't care about politics. And most 13 year olds don't know how the government works or the issues surrounding the world. And, a lot of 18 year olds don't vote anyway.

Yeah,maybee you`re right,by the way i`m 15 years old now :D

The voting age should be 18, like it's in Spain.

i find it odd that at 16 your responsible enough to drive but not resposible to vote until your 18.
I agree. And here, you're not allowed to drive/vote/drink legally until 18. One of the couple of things I find ok of Spain.

About what Luna said that he's 20 and now is beginning to understand how government works.. There are people so much older, 30s, 40s, that never will understand it, because they don't mind it. And on the other side, there are teenagers of 14-16 years that will be interested on how it goes, and will read about it and have clearer ideas than a lot of the people who can vote.
Anyway, at 18, in general you're more centered. At 16 you're still too fool, and at 21 you could have changed something with your vote some years ago...

If 15 yr. olds are going to vote, I want them to fill out W2's on their allowance income. :D

It should stay 18. IMO. Wait till you work 60 hours in one week - and watch what happens to your check. :eek: Even most 18 year olds don't have a full time job, but they're the ones who are defending this country, so they should be allowed to vote.

-Lath

"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind." - Aristotle

I think that it should be lowered. People complain that young people don't take an intrest in politics, but I think it's because they don't have a say. If young people were granted this righ, then surely many would take the initive to educate themselves.When people say that people of 15 and 16 and incapable of educating themselves on each candidate, I get a rather annoyed. I'm 16 and (without trying to sound egotistical) am probably more intelligent than my dad and a number of other adults. Laws and how the government run the country, I would say, affects me more than a lot of adults. I'm the one in state education, I have probably another 60 years of living in this country with it's rules. Yes some young people wouldn't have a clue. but so do some adults. I personally believe I would use my vote wisely as would a number of my friends.

In the last 2 years I was at school we had to have citizenship class once a week, I felt that it was extremely patronising but I did get top marks in the class so I’m not complaining.

At one point we had a debate about should the voting age be lowered most of us thought yes and to the age of 16. At 16 I think that you should be aloud to vote because most 16 year olds are mature enough to know what they’re doing.

Well, I believe that the voting age is fine the way it is. Sure, at 17 you wanna say "NOT HIM!!!! VOTE THIS DUDE INSTEAD OF BUSH". But, they see it as immature in a way, we are still learning things, and I guess 18 is a good age to start new things, because then you can make a decision for yourself. You can go and do things you couldnt do a year ago. Besides, in the US, it isnt compulsory, so half the people who go dont vote anyway. Sure, itd be cool if it got lowered, but thats like saying 12 year olds can get their licences. It just wont happen.

We can sit and complain, but really, will they listen? To me, I dont think they would. They see us as sugar-filled juvenile delinquents. They think we are evil. So, I guess we can try to say "Oh come on, lower the age", but all they are interested in is hitting our backsides with their walking sticks. Oh well, we can only hope, right?

Kittencat.

IMO they must be at least 18 to vote. people must have brains and a little life experience to make such decisions. in 15-16 years they're not mature enough, their minds in general work in one direction (hope you know what i am about) and that awkward age... of course there are some exceptions but i don't think that constitution must be renewed because of them.

but anyway, i dont think theres anything wrong with voting for the opossing canditate if you dont like the other. obviously i do not like bush..and sadly the alternative is kerry, but to not vote at all when you have a real opinion formed based on facts would be stupid even if you voting for the kerry because you dont like bush. Obviously if you dont like Bush and have decent reasons to back that up your not gonna want to see him in office again right? so why not vote the other way.


This is so off topic it hurts. How does Bush/Kerry relate to voting age?

And secondly, voting for someone else because you hate someone is a STUPID idea. Unless you actually stand for what the other person believes, just don't vote/vote third party. Blind voting is simply a wasted vote. You are basing your decision off emotion and not logic.

This is so off topic it hurts. How does Bush/Kerry relate to voting age?

And secondly, voting for someone else because you hate someone is a STUPID idea. Unless you actually stand for what the other person believes, just don't vote/vote third party. Blind voting is simply a wasted vote. You are basing your decision off emotion and not logic.
nice remark-)
another loser39 is a great proof and example of why people at the age of 15 don't have a right to vote.

i still don't know an awful lot about politics, and haven't voted yet. i know when i am older i will vote, because it is much more likely to affect me in the future. for example i will hopefully have children, and i will want to help in making good decisions for their future.

oh and i think the age should be about 16, then its up to you whether you use that privelige (sp?) to vote or not.

IMO they must be at least 18 to vote. people must have brains and a little life experience to make such decisions.
Who's to say that a 16 year old, or someone younger doesn't have any life experience?
in 15-16 years they're not mature enough, their minds in general work in one direction (hope you know what i am about) and that awkward age...
Teenagers are alot smarter than they get credit for.
I think the age should be 16, because we should be able to vote. We should be able to have a voice in how our lives are going to be run for the next four years. Believe it or not, everything that happens now, affects our lives in the future. I think 16 is a fair age, you've gotten enough life experience under the belt, and I think alot of 16 year olds are fairly mature for their age.

Who's to say that a 16 year old, or someone younger doesn't have any life experience?

Teenagers are alot smarter than they get credit for.
I think the age should be 16, because we should be able to vote. We should be able to have a voice in how our lives are going to be run for the next four years. Believe it or not, everything that happens now, affects our lives in the future. I think 16 is a fair age, you've gotten enough life experience under the belt, and I think alot of 16 year olds are fairly mature for their age.

The only problem with your point is that the only thing worse than an apathetic, eligible to bote, non-voter is an uninformed voter. How many 16 year olds do you know that are honestly educated about our governmental processes and issues facing our country? 16 year olds are a lot more susceptible to advertising and propaganda, if you will, than are older voters.

The only problem with your point is that the only thing worse than an apathetic, eligible to bote, non-voter is an uninformed voter. How many 16 year olds do you know that are honestly educated about our governmental processes and issues facing our country? 16 year olds are a lot more susceptible to advertising and propaganda, if you will, than are older voters.

You just nailed it toB.

If 16 year olds were allowed to vote in this past election, I guarantee Bush would of lost with them , because all they would of heard from the media is "Bush is stupid." And they would of based there vote on that, and not real issues.


[edit] Hell, theres plenty of people who did vote against Bush , and not for Kerry. I believe there favorite quote was "anybody but bush." I saw that countless times on this board.

The only problem with your point is that the only thing worse than an apathetic, eligible to bote, non-voter is an uninformed voter. How many 16 year olds do you know that are honestly educated about our governmental processes and issues facing our country? 16 year olds are a lot more susceptible to advertising and propaganda, if you will, than are older voters.
That's true.
You're more under media influence and parental influence when you're that young, but not all 16 year olds are.
Now, this may be a biased opinion, because I am 16, but I think we should be able to vote on our future.
I know a few 16 year olds who are well rounded politcally and open minded, myself being one of them. I think alot of 16 year olds are also aware of issues facing our country etc...
I'm sure that many 16/17 year olds would become more informed if they had a reason.

That's true.
You're more under media influence and parental influence when you're that young, but not all 16 year olds are.
Now, this may be a biased opinion, because I am 16, but I think we should be able to vote on our future.
I know a few 16 year olds who are well rounded politcally and open minded, myself being one of them. I think alot of 16 year olds are also aware of issues facing our country etc...
I'm sure that many 16/17 year olds would become more informed if they had a reason.

I dont have any numbers to back me up, but I would guess that a major percentage of 16 year olds arent as informed as you b00bles. :p

I know a few 16 year olds who are well rounded politcally and open minded, myself being one of them.

that's the problem - a few and i know a LOT of dumbasses who just want to feel like mature adults and take every opportunity to prove that but unfortunately the results are terrible. i'm very glad for you being the exception

We should be able to have a voice in how our lives are going to be run for the next four years.

Then why 16? Why not 15 or 14? Just as soon as you get your passport? (there may be a correction since I don’t know what country you live in) Or that question didn’t bother you then?
Even if you have a right to vote at 16 you’re still not an adult and you can’t feel the results of your voting in full measures. And that won’t have any sense then.

This is so off topic it hurts. How does Bush/Kerry relate to voting age?
.

my apologies(sp?)...i was refering to a statment someone had made earlier about voting for kerry just because you dont like bush, i just didnt reference it...i was an idiot for bringing it up anyways.

And i agree that 15 year olds such as myself should not vote.

I actually debated with my teacher last year, and this year about this. But anyway, my two cents: I think the voting age should be either 15 or 16. When I've said this, I normally get the same reaction from adults. "They wouldn't be mature enough" or "they wouldn't be responsible" but if you stop and think about it, there are obviously a lot of grown men and women that are not mature enough or responsible enough to have that privledge, but even if they aren't, they still get it because they are an american citizen that has to make a living in this country. But, by 15 or 16, you have a lot of new responsiblities in your life that are affected by the choices our politicians make. So, if by 15 or 16, you have a job, you drive a car, you're part of our economy, so why can't you have a say in it? And there are a lot of people, even now at my age, who want to vote, and are very politically aware, and are very upset because they feel like they can't make a difference. I firgured since I couldn't vote I'd at least try to get other people to understand where I am coming from, so I volunteered at the democratic office during the Presidential election, and every time I would talk to someone, it was like they thought I was soooooo adorable that I "thought" I knew about politics, and then when some adult came to talk to them, they would actually have a real discussion, and it was the adults that made the difference. I know if I could vote in the next elections, I would actually feel like I'm doing something worth while. I don't like to feel useless when it comes to being able to have a say in what goes on in my country. Who does? That's all I have to say.

I actually debated with my teacher last year, and this year about this. But anyway, my two cents: I think the voting age should be either 15 or 16. When I've said this, I normally get the same reaction from adults. "They wouldn't be mature enough" or "they wouldn't be responsible" but if you stop and think about it, there are obviously a lot of grown men and women that are not mature enough or responsible enough to have that privledge, but even if they aren't, they still get it because they are an american citizen that has to make a living in this country. But, by 15 or 16, you have a lot of new responsiblities in your life that are affected by the choices our politicians make. So, if by 15 or 16, you have a job, you drive a car, you're part of our economy, so why can't you have a say in it? And there are a lot of people, even now at my age, who want to vote, and are very politically aware, and are very upset because they feel like they can't make a difference. I firgured since I couldn't vote I'd at least try to get other people to understand where I am coming from, so I volunteered at the democratic office during the Presidential election, and every time I would talk to someone, it was like they thought I was soooooo adorable that I "thought" I knew about politics, and then when some adult came to talk to them, they would actually have a real discussion, and it was the adults that made the difference. I know if I could vote in the next elections, I would actually feel like I'm doing something worth while. I don't like to feel useless when it comes to being able to have a say in what goes on in my country. Who does? That's all I have to say.

Even if you are completly politically aware, then your a rare case, and making the voting age 15 or 16 would open up the poles to a whole load of idiots. Exceptions obviously cant be made, so its unfourtunate but if a rare person who is both young and well informed and mature enough to make a valid comtrabution does occur, then they are just going to have to wait. Sorry, thats the way it has to be. The only other way to be to asses each individual voter.

(PS, I dont think we were only discussing American politics, but politics everywhere ;))

I actually debated with my teacher last year, and this year about this. But anyway, my two cents: I think the voting age should be either 15 or 16. When I've said this, I normally get the same reaction from adults. "They wouldn't be mature enough" or "they wouldn't be responsible" but if you stop and think about it, there are obviously a lot of grown men and women that are not mature enough or responsible enough to have that privledge, but even if they aren't, they still get it because they are an american citizen that has to make a living in this country. But, by 15 or 16, you have a lot of new responsiblities in your life that are affected by the choices our politicians make. So, if by 15 or 16, you have a job, you drive a car, you're part of our economy, so why can't you have a say in it? And there are a lot of people, even now at my age, who want to vote, and are very politically aware, and are very upset because they feel like they can't make a difference. I firgured since I couldn't vote I'd at least try to get other people to understand where I am coming from, so I volunteered at the democratic office during the Presidential election, and every time I would talk to someone, it was like they thought I was soooooo adorable that I "thought" I knew about politics, and then when some adult came to talk to them, they would actually have a real discussion, and it was the adults that made the difference. I know if I could vote in the next elections, I would actually feel like I'm doing something worth while. I don't like to feel useless when it comes to being able to have a say in what goes on in my country. Who does? That's all I have to say.

Not very many young teens know about politics. Just because you or someone you know does, does not mean the rest of the teen world will. At 15 / 16 you are not independent. You are hardly part of the economy. You are living at home, and normally don't make over 10k a year. You pay almost nothing in taxes, and to tell you the truth, the Govt does not ask very much from you... if anything at all.

Most teens get all their information from television, which can be biased. They don't normally think for themselves, and tend to follow what others are doing.

Driving a car shows you know how to turn a wheel and push a pedal with fluid coordination. I don’t think that really is good enough to sway me over.


So why should people at this age be given the right to vote? It won't really change anything for them. They won't notice a tax difference. I mean what role do teens play in Govt? I can't really think of any at all. They are still dependant on their parents for everything in life.

18 is the correct age IMO. At 18 you can fight for the nation, move out, get a Real Job, and do other things which I will avoid speaking of in fear of getting off topic.

thanks Luna you've lightened my writings.
So why should people at this age be given the right to vote? It won't really change anything for them. They won't notice a tax difference. I mean what role do teens play in Govt? I can't really think of any at all. They are still dependant on their parents for everything in life.

here we can put a dot :) wait two more years and you can go and vote, you will have a full baggage of responsibilities, duties and rights. Understand the one simple thing that one can’t go without another. You can’t have rights without proper duties/obligations. But while you’re not of the full legal age you can’t carry out most of such obligations. Hence you have to grow up a little.

Not very many young teens know about politics. Just because you or someone you know does, does not mean the rest of the teen world will. At 15 / 16 you are not independent. You are hardly part of the economy. You are living at home, and normally don't make over 10k a year. You pay almost nothing in taxes, and to tell you the truth, the Govt does not ask very much from you... if anything at all.

Most teens get all their information from television, which can be biased. They don't normally think for themselves, and tend to follow what others are doing.

Driving a car shows you know how to turn a wheel and push a pedal with fluid coordination. I don’t think that really is good enough to sway me over.


So why should people at this age be given the right to vote? It won't really change anything for them. They won't notice a tax difference. I mean what role do teens play in Govt? I can't really think of any at all. They are still dependant on their parents for everything in life.

18 is the correct age IMO. At 18 you can fight for the nation, move out, get a Real Job, and do other things which I will avoid speaking of in fear of getting off topic.


Voting wouldn't change anything for me? I think it would. The outcome of almost all the elections affects me personally. I like to have a say in whether my family has to go to war. I like to have a say in how I am educated. I like to have a say in whether my parents want to move my family to Canada or not. And, as I said, there are more people in this world that are older than 18 that base their opinions on who they vote for than you think. And there are plenty of students I know who are just as concerned about who is our state rep. or who is in the senate, or who is our preident, and there are some adults who are just as concerned about the election as you claim teens are.

Searched but found nothing, if theres post sry!

DO you think the voting age is fair? I don't think we should wait til were 18. i think it should be 15 because teens are very aware and they should have a choice to vote for who they want to run their country. *my opinion*

opps meant to put 15 sry :o

Here's my bit on the voting age, I don't think it's fair. First off, I am old enough to vote and have been so for some time, I also vote when ever I can. So it's not like I feel left out. But here's my reason and it's simple. "No taxation without representation" I remember paying taxes as a teenager as young as 14 and yet I wasn't able to vote until I was 18. Now how is that? So I think one of two things needs to happen, either you don't get taxed until you are 18, or you get to vote when you start earining an income. Which for some people like the Olsen twins would have been pretty freakin' young. In 1765 Colonists of the 13 Colonies of the British Empire decided to protest a new Stamp Tax that was imposed upon them without their concent. This event was one of the crucial building points to the American Revolution.

Right now there are three groups of people who can not legally vote and are subject to taxation, children, felons, and residents of the district of columbia.

Even if you are completly politically aware, then your a rare case, and making the voting age 15 or 16 would open up the poles to a whole load of idiots. Exceptions obviously cant be made, so its unfourtunate but if a rare person who is both young and well informed and mature enough to make a valid comtrabution does occur, then they are just going to have to wait. Sorry, thats the way it has to be. The only other way to be to asses each individual voter.

Who's to say some of the adults aren't idiots ;)

NPR (National Public Radio) had an interesting segment on where they interviewed what I think was an Episcopalian church in the southern US the week prior to the the big election. These were people of age to vote who were litterally praying in tounges that Bush would win. Why? Because he was more religously aligned to them. Infact they were also praying that the Kerry supporters would stay home. Now, I don't know about you, but I'd think placing all my confidence in a particular canidate just because they attended Sunday school is kinda careless and dangerous, especially in today's global environment. I'm not knocking either canidate or the results of the vote, merely the reasons that some "educated" of-age voters used for their choices. I think a 15 or 16 year old could decide in just as "educated" manner as many of the adults :cool:

My two cents?

I think it's perfectly fine the way it is.

My reasoning is that most 18 year olds are at least seniors in high school. In our school, government isn't taken until the senior year. (There's freshmen civics, but I transferred from another school and didn't have to take it.) I really didn't know very much about how government worked until I took government. I had watched the news occasionally, but I started to watch it more and really take an interest in what's happening in our country.

If I'm correct, many other schools in the U.S. have government as a requirement for seniors. I think that class should be taken before voting.

Also, kids in high school tend to be slightly more sheltered and have less knowledge of the world. I'm not saying all of them do. Just some. When kids go off to college or away from home, at least, they'll encounter different political viewpoints than the ones they're used to. I think it's important to understand different viewpoints, even (or especially) if you disagree with them. With different options, it's easier to make more informed decisions. I don't think many 15-16 year olds are ready for that. I know I sure wasn't.

My two cents?

I think it's perfectly fine the way it is.

My reasoning is that most 18 year olds are at least seniors in high school. In our school, government isn't taken until the senior year. (There's freshmen civics, but I transferred from another school and didn't have to take it.) I really didn't know very much about how government worked until I took government. I had watched the news occasionally, but I started to watch it more and really take an interest in what's happening in our country.

Just because you take a government class, does not mean you will be informed. I'm in government right now, and I am a junior, it's a junior class at my school, however, many seniors are not educated in that area. So to say that 18 year olds are more educated in such areas is untrue.

If I'm correct, many other schools in the U.S. have government as a requirement for seniors. I think that class should be taken before voting.
Send some of our parents and grandparents back to school, then!
Most of the older population haven't had a government class, so what are we going to do, send them back to school so they can vote?

I'd much rather see the age of voting higher to 21 then lower to 15! 15 is way too young. An example is the amount of kids who would vote the conservative party in England next election. They're well known liars who take gullible peoples votes and hate people who aren't rich. If you watch government programs u know that because adults and MPs say it all the time and have proof. I know I'm only 17, but I know if they voted conservative in the next election the worst that could happen is I'll be living on the streets in debt :(

I think the voting age should either stay 18, though if it were 17 or 19 I'd say it was decent. Though never should it be lowered to under 17, because so many kids, such as in my school, could easily be made to vote for a certain person (mainly because there are a lot of stupid people where I live :(). Though I feel some 15-16 year olds are smart and mature enough to handle voting and research it, I think that the majority would vote for whoever their fav. celeb. probably liked. I mean voters need to actually do research, not just vote based on TV ads. But either way, I don't really know how many people would register under 18 anyways. Though my preferred age would be 18 just because that is when, in America, you are pretty much an adult. ;)

In our country you must vote when you're 18, you don't have the choice. I think this is a good age to begin to inform you about politics, you have enough knowledge to understand things and you are mature enough to not just vote whoever you like most. But who is when they're 16. When you're a kid you have other things on your mind and I think it's good like that, that is a freedom you have as long as you're under age.

I think 16. 16 year olds can make a decision as to who they want running the country. I don't think it's fair to make people wait til they are 18 because often they know a great deal about the political leaders, and are disapointed they were unable to have a say.

When you are of an age when you start paying taxes is the age I think you should be able to vote.

If teenagers want to start paying taxes before they are 18, fine, let them vote. Until such a time... I think the voting age should stay at 18 and over, when the people voting are the people paying for the country.

agree with you jadeakira, 'cause again everybody wants to have rights but no responsibilities...

I think 16. 16 year olds can make a decision as to who they want running the country. I don't think it's fair to make people wait til they are 18 because often they know a great deal about the political leaders, and are disapointed they were unable to have a say.

What do you really know about the candidates and the election process and how it will change the nation? The thing is I don't think you know much of anything about it besides what you see on the news and what your friends tell you.

At 16 you have 0 responsibilities, and therefore are not given any privileges in this nation.

Saying 16 year olds should be able to make decisions on who runs the nation when they themselves have no part in this nation is a bit hypocritical.

As disappointed as I was when I couldn't vote this year, I completely understand why. Although age doesn't really mean a damn thing as far as intelligence goes, it certainly helps. My brother is almost 15, and sure as hell wouldn't want to have him running off and voting. Normally, kids are more focused on video games, sports or something of the like. None that I know are focused on politics in the least.

18 is a good age in my opinion. You're old enough to move out, get a job, etc as stated before. With those responsibilities, you get the privilege to vote.

It'd be interesting to have an intelligence poll type thing taken though, to see how much these people who CAN vote actually know about the two candidates and where they stand. I bet most people would fail miserably. =\

It'd be interesting to have an intelligence poll type thing taken though, to see how much these people who CAN vote actually know about the two candidates and where they stand. I bet most people would fail miserably. =\[/color]
it would be interesting to have such poll here either, i mean between all these 15-16 age guys here who claim they know everything about politics and want to choose a future for their country now

PM me for my politcal opionion. (Which is much more together then my spelling :o ) It would probally get me banned if I posted all parts of it...

But, it was formed by reading the newspaper and watching political debates. It agrees with Puffy, but, It is not that way because of him.

And, yes, That is a rare case, for someone to have their own opionion. So, I will go to lower it to 17, or 16... But, I certently don't want some of my friends voting. Others tho, I belive would be a great addition to voices in American politics...

And, something that i've definently relized is that, when people are Pro-Kerry, they usually back up their opionion quite well. When they're Pro-Bush, they stumble, and say "Just Because"... That is with teenagers, not adults.

Some teenagers should have a right to vote, before MANY adults. Some, should NEVER have a right to vote.

This is a harder argument then woman rights to vote, which I had to write a speech for...

PM me for my politcal opionion. (Which is much more together then my spelling :o ) It would probally get me banned if I posted all parts of it...
banned?
As long as you have legitimate oponion on the issues that you can back up with some facts, I dont see why you would get banned.:confused:

And, something that i've definently relized is that, when people are Pro-Kerry, they usually back up their opionion quite well. When they're Pro-Bush, they stumble, and say "Just Because"... That is with teenagers, not adults.
bahahaha!


"I actually did vote for the 87 Billion, before I voted against it."

banned?
As long as you have legitimate oponion on the issues that you can back up with some facts, I dont see why you would get banned.:confused:


Because, they are STRONG opionions... And, I do have to bash bush a little to give my reasons.. I'd just rather be safe the sorry... I like this board!


bahahaha!
Too bad i'm not joking.

I know Kerry isn't the best choice we've ever had. Nader to me was the best choice this election. But, like any game. You're gonna play to win. They say "Vote for the Best Option" I say "Vote for what will make you happiest" I didn't want Bush in office. And face it, Nader had no chance. I'd rather have someone who isn't as competent as I would like. Then, someone who [this is where my opionion becomes not allowed for this board]

But, alas, we are again painfully off topic... If you want to hear more of my opionion. For the sake of this thread, let's do it in PMs. (haha... that sounded kinda wrong....)

I think its a good point that those who are younger are not represented yet have to follow the rules. They are citizens, who is to say that those who are older are making the right desicions for them.

To say that those who are older are mature can be a strech at times. I know of some young kids that are ten years old they take better care of their brothers and sisters then the parents do.

The bottom line is when more people are given the opportunity to vote many people don't understand that its a right and when given this right it should be used instead oif ignored.

15, is way too young. We don't know anything about the government or anything. I think they should stick with 18 or 21 because if they let 15 year olds vote, this country would go down.

The bottom line is when more people are given the opportunity to vote many people don't understand that its a right and when given this right it should be used instead oif ignored.
Heh, my chemistry teacher would respond to those who say they wont vote: "People died so that you could vote, and you're not gonna vote?!"