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Should the voting age be 16? Should the voting age be 16?
Yes, the age should be lowered Yes, the age should be lowered
No, the voting age is fine as it is No, the voting age is fine as it is
No, the age requirement should be raised No, the age requirement should be raised
More voices should be involved in the process More voices should be involved in the process
16-year-olds are capable of formulating opinions 16-year-olds are capable of formulating opinions
They have adult responsibilities, but can't vote They have adult responsibilities, but can't vote
We should start incorporating politics as early as possible We should start incorporating politics as early as possible
The legal age of an adult is eighteen The legal age of an adult is eighteen
Responsibilities are really starting Responsibilities are really starting
If someone can be drafted, they should be able to vote If someone can be drafted, they should be able to vote
Life experience should be required Life experience should be required
The age category of 18-29 has very low turnout The age category of 18-29 has very low turnout
Young people are easily influenced and manipulated Young people are easily influenced and manipulated
The brain isn't fully developed until 25 The brain isn't fully developed until 25
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Should the voting age be 16?
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No, the age requirement should be raised

< (3 of 3)

The age category of 18-29 has very low turnout

Statistically, young people vote less. Therefore, there is no point allowing them to vote.
< (2 of 4) Next argument >

The Argument

According to a study by the US Election Project, the age group of 18-29 had the lowest voter turnout, compared to the highest group of 60+. Similarly in the UK, only one out of every three young adults able to vote are even registered to vote. If young people can't even be bothered to register to vote, why should they have the right to cast their ballot? The voting age should be raised because the higher age categories are much more likely to actually register and vote. Ballots don't need to be wasted.

Counter arguments

Low turnout isn't a reason to change the age requirement. It says something about the society's attitude to young voters. Perhaps education on voting and electoral issues should be implemented before elections occur, rather than completely isolating a group from their individual rights.

Premises

[P1] The young voting demographic has a low turnout. [P2] Accurate voting requires a high turnout.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] The proportion of young people that vote is growing.

References

This page was last edited on Monday, 30 Mar 2020 at 11:49 UTC

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