TOW #17: “Why the Voting Age Should Be Lowered to 16” by The Economist

In the article, “Why the Voting Age Should Be Lowered to 16,” The Economist discusses the growing problem of diminishing voter turnout rates in America within younger demographics and proposes the solution to lower the minimum voting age to sixteen years old. The article argues that this will help get people into the habit of voting at a younger age and push them to see it more as a duty than a choice.

While I do think this is not the perfect solution to this problem, this could be a step in the right direction for bringing up the voting rates of younger generations. In 2007, Australia became the first world power to lower the minimum voting age to sixteen years old. In effect, the voting percentage of Australian minors became larger than that of Australians ages nineteen to twenty-five. Also, during a general vote in Scotland, sixteen-year-olds were allowed to vote, also causing the voting percentage of minors to become larger than that of ages nineteen to twenty-five. I do agree that a lowering of the voting age can lead to the increase of voting participation and also push younger generations to get into the habit of voting while they are still living with their parents.

However, I do not think that allowing minors to vote is a smart solution to this problem since they are just too young. Many people this age would not be mature enough to come to a knowledgeable, independent decision and would most likely be influenced by who their parents voted for. Instead, I believe that the best solution to this problem of declining voter rates lies in the classroom education of government. If more students are fully informed about current civic and political issues, this would naturally spark their desire to vote.

While this author wants to solve a huge problem in the voting of this country, I do not believe that his solution is viable. It is too optimistic and ignores the fact that minors can be immature when it comes to voting.

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