Should 16 year olds be given the right to vote?

Question

Should 16 year olds be given the right to vote?

Answer 1

I don't think that it should be a law that they can vote but there should be a panel perhaps that if they prove qualified they can.

We have taken away the ability to think to a large extent by our educational system today but many of our forefathers were taught by 16 and17 year old teachers in the first few grades of school and Thomas Jefferson enrolled in William and Mary College at 17 years old.  In a recent tv episode of one against a hundred, the 100 were all students less than 16 and were all extremely successful in one way or another - one 13 year old girl had started a business worth millions.

Granted, there are those who would not be able to qualify but watch "are you smarter than a 5th grader?" and see some of those who are allowed to vote, or watch Jay Leno in one of his man in the street segments and you will shudder - unless you don't know the answers to the questions either.

Too many who vote now do not know who is running or what they stand for but simply vote for one party or the other because that is who the voted for in the previous election.

Perhaps a qualified 16 year old, mentally and emotionally capable of making a wise decision, would vote for a person rather than buying into a party which often wins only because they have more money to spend than their opponents.

Answer 2

I think they should be given the option to take a written test proving that they know the basics of politics. If they pass, let them vote.

Answer 3

No, at 16 you are not mature enough to think for yourself. Instead you tend to buy into every crack pot idea that comes along.

Answer 4

What about the 12 year olds?  Why shouldn't they be able to vote?  No, 16 year olds should not be able to vote.  Nor, in my opinion should 18 year olds.  It should be 21 minimum voting age.  Younger people than that are simply not mature enough to understand what they are actually voting for--in my opinion.

Answer 5

NO!

Answer 6

No, for the most part they are still very childish and immature, and it would be wasted votes.

Answer 7

yes and i suspect they may be smarter then their parents.

Answer 8

nope...16 yr olds don't have the political knowledge needed to vote.

Answer 9

No.  At 16, they need to concern themselves with education, developing social skills, being responsible.  Making decisions about the country's future is best left to adults

( I can't believe I just said that!!  WhhHhhahaha!)

Answer 10

I like the idea of having them have to take a written teston politics...then they could prove if they are ready or not.

actually..i bet most people would fail  the test!..(I know I would)

Answer 11

No. Most 30 somethings should have the right either.

So maybe the answer should be yes, since 30 year olds are less likely than 16 year olds to be drafted and fight in wars.

Answer 12

no, they are too young!

Answer 13

Should blind kids get hunting licenses? Should deaf kids be music critics?  Think about it.  the young citizens of this country are full of energy and good will but unfortunately they are the easiest to sway.  That's why they don't mind paying 120 dollars for a pair of gym shoes or sticking a dumbell through their nose because someone in a "flavor of the month" band is wearing one in their music video.

Answer 14

No.  Although many young people are smart and aware enough to make a good choice most are not.

Answer 15

No, no way.  18 year-olds should not be allowed to vote.

Uneducated persons should not be allowed to vote.

Congress is messed up enough now because people don't know th issues.

Answer 16

No

Answer 17

No - in general 16 year olds are not mature enough to take such a responsibility seriously.  In fact most 18 year old aren't either - but since you can draft a 18 year old they should be given that right - its up to them to avail themselves to using it.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 18

no, we have enough uninformed voters as it is, and most 16 year olds will just vote with or against their parents depending on how they feel.

Answer 19

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Answer 20

No - most 20 yr olds don't even care enough to vote....I highly doubt a 16 yr old would have the time or energy to learn about politics

Answer 21

Maybe. Most sixteen year olds, like my self, are living in America and are living its problems. By the time we reach retirement age, social security will be bankrupt even though I am paying into it. We see the problems going on in our country but we are limited to how we can act on it. There should be a test given, such as the citizenship test that immigrants take. If a sixteen year old has basic knowledge of government and passes the test, yes, they should be given the right to vote. Sixteen year olds get to drive cars, but they can't vote for senators who change traffic laws.