Voting age:?

Question

What do you think the voting age should be?

Nader would like to see the age lowered to 16.

I and many others have worked regularly before the age of 18, and have paid federal taxes that income. Is this not taxation without representation? Is there a good reason working citizens should not have a vote in their government?

Answer 1

Justin K:

A person can be charged for an adult crime at the age of fifteen.

I'm fourteen and can hold a political discussion with a very well-informed and intelligent adult: and I often win if it comes to an argument.

Now then, to answer your question, AAAAAAAA. (I like your name!)  Perhaps we should lower the age to sixteen but only for those who work.  I agree, that is taxation without representation, and we could always resurrect the Sons of Liberty's rallying cry and shout it at the President's window.  That ought to get a response.  =D

But seriously, I think what you are saying is totally right.  Many of us younger kids are now getting into politics since it affects much more than law now: our next president could save or kill the planet, just as a single example out of the many that can be used as an example to get people involved in politics.  Just as long as we don't allow the myspace-addicted minors who don't give a d**n about politics the right to vote!  

I think that's going to be the only problem.  Us younger ones sometimes have the tendency to simply follow suit and do what others are doing.  For example, if I ask one of my friends who they would vote for, they automatically answer, "Obama!"  I ask why.  They shrug and say, "Cause he's black."  This is the flaw in us minors when it comes to politics.

But I think that by sixteen or seventeen we should be mature enough to make an informed decision.  As I haven't reached that age yet, I'm not sure.  I would vote for Obama because of political and ethical, not ethnical, reasons.

Answer 2

I don't think it's so much an issue of minors being taxed as how readily and informatively they participate in the political process.  There are thousands of unemployed adults who nonetheless have the right to vote.

I mean that there are 16-year-olds, even younger, who are much more politically informed than some 40-year-olds. And those that aren't informed, like adults, won't generally vote anyway.

I think we'd be safe to extend suffrage to age 16+, regardless of working status.

Answer 3

Minors can not work enough to pay enough taxes to qualify for taxation without representation. I know this for a fact because of the labor laws passed just about the time I came of age. I got caught owning a business at 17 and the freaking NM State government shut me down. Labor laws! What should count is not your age or your skin color but whether you can prove that you pay in more taxes than you benefit from government programs.

Answer 4

I say we up the age to 25. I also wouldn't mind if only land owners could vote.

Taxation without representation, is not a factor, until the age of 18 (when you are legally able to vote) you are 100% your parents responsibility.

Answer 5

I disagree.  The voting age should stay 18.  I understand that you are working but you will get to vote at 18 like everyone else.  You must be 18 to serve in combat in the military.  Also, at 16 most people are not mature enough to give a purely informed vote. Remember you are not charged as an adult for crimes until 18 either.

Answer 6

Personally, I would not put any age restrictions on voting...instead, to register to vote, I would require a basic intelligence test which includes a gauge of politcal awareness.  Then, for each election, I would require passing a pop quiz which proves you are aware of the issues involved and the positions of each of the candidates on those issues.

Yeah, yeah, I know...dream on.

You make a salient point in regard to all taxpayers having a right to vote.  Back when our country was founded, only property owners were allowed to vote...and that's precisely because (back then) they were the only citizens who paid taxes.

Still, I'm happy with 18 being the legal age to vote.  It should also be the legal age for all adult activities, including drinking...but that's another rant for another day.

Frankly, I find the majority of youth to be rather uninformed voters...they vote just like their parents do.  And stats bear that out...most people do not achieve political independance from their parent's views until they are 25.  That was certainly true for me.