Do You think that the voting age should be lowered to 16 in the USA?
2007-03-17 19:03:40 · 19 answers · asked by chickn noodle soup 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
FYI, there are plenty of teenagers out there who do NOT run with the 'wrong crowd' who aren't just a bunch of stupid, druggie mass of hormones. Many are more informed abt the political process, the issues and the candidates that the adults in this country. Plus, If a 16 year-old can be tried and sentanced as an adult (for a serious crime) then why can't they vote?
2007-03-17 19:12:57 · update #1
My gosh...become more accepting! A lot of the older citizens tend to steriotype young people as unintelligent, unopinionated, waste of fresh air. So many young people manage more than one job, pay taxes, drive (responsibly!), and keep up with current events. For every teen you name who fits the steriotype, i can show you 10 adults who have no idea that the USA has 50, not 51 states.
2007-03-17 19:26:10 · update #2
ok..so many of you are saying that in order to vote, teens should be required to take and pass a basics civics test. But let me ask you this. How many adults would be able to pass that same test? How many adults who are so easily duped by cheap propaganda and who flock to the polls every four years be able to pass this exam?
**please, dont think im being rude..this is prep for a debate and i need good counters...im against lowering the voting age as well.
2007-03-18 05:38:33 · update #3
I thought that it should be lowered when I was 16, and when I was 18 I was still just as passionate about politics but more educated....now here I am a few years later, and my values and beliefs have once again began to shift. I think 18 is the absolute minimum. No one is saying that you're too ignorant at 16, but they are saying that you will change IMMENSELY in the next 2-5 years, and you should wait to vote. At 16, many people are still greatly under the influence of their parents and many teenagers would be pressured to vote the same way their parents do, even if they don't share similar beliefs.
2007-03-18 03:36:51 · answer #1 · answered by greenbuddha03 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure why not. Just accompany it with a rigorous exam on American civics and see all the teens flock to the polls. The average voter turn out for a city wide election is 18% and that is amongst regular everyday adults will lowering the voter age to 16 make a big difference? Hope this helps. --- Jeff
2007-03-17 20:25:30 · answer #2 · answered by Jeff S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO!! Unless the 16 year old is emancipated. Before the age of 18 if one enters into any contract without the parents permission the contract is considered not legally binding. AT 16 I knew who I wanted to vote for, I know my candidates at the time etc. However I was still a minor and my parents were the ones supporting me. IF I had to wait so should all other 16 year olds.
2007-03-17 20:15:35 · answer #3 · answered by wondermom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it should be raised to 21 or 22. By then the potential voter will have hopefully gone to college, be more educated, assured of what they believe in and be able to make a more informed decision. 18, they are fresh out of high school and still dont have the best decision making skills. 16 forget about it. Raging hormones, bad decision making.... dont get me started.
2007-03-17 19:12:57 · answer #4 · answered by tonip1963 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't think it should be lowered.
In fact I'll take it a step further and say that citizens should be made to take a basic civics test before they are allowed to register to vote.
Most people in this country don't know how many states there are (most say 52), what type of government we have (if you ask, most will say a Democracy), or who represents them from their state in the Congress and Senate.
2007-03-17 20:38:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, but they'd have to meet a rigorous test. They'd be disqualified if:
- They can't pass a civics test with an 85% score
- They can't name the president, vice president, at least three cabinet members, and their state governow
- They had ever posted a politics question on Yahoo! Answers.
2007-03-18 04:27:18 · answer #6 · answered by Teekno 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No.
While there are responsible and informed teenagers, the majority of them are NOT.
Children of 16 should not be tried as an adult unless it's a vicious crime. They sure the hell shouldn't be put in prison with the hardcore criminals.
2007-03-18 05:38:34 · answer #7 · answered by Hello 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I do not. At the age of 16 you should not be in the mind set of who should be president, vice-president, etc., you should be concentrating on your education and learning about these offices and what they are for and the meaning of our country's values, etc.. Frankly, at the age of 16 most kids don't know what they want for lunch much less who to vote for. This would not be a good idea, at least in my opinion.
2007-03-17 19:14:01 · answer #8 · answered by Cindy Roo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Most of them wouldn't vote anyways, and the rest wouldn't know anything about the issues the candidates focus on other than what they were told during childhood (A child from a conservative family probably isnt going to vote democrat).
2007-03-17 19:09:50 · answer #9 · answered by kass9191 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
HE!! No I do not think it should be lowered to 16. Most 16 year olds do not have a driver's license and cannot choose the right friends to run around with. Why would I want them voting for the president?
You are doing what teens do, whining and complaining trying to get your way. Go to your room.
2007-03-17 19:07:55 · answer #10 · answered by Sparkles 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋