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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 voting age is fine as it is

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If someone can be drafted, they should be able to vote

If one can be forced to fight in a war, one should be able to help shape their country.
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The Argument

This is an old one, but still relevant today. The draft still exists. The Selective Service Act requires all males, beginning at age 18, to register for the draft. If one is old enough to die for their country, they should be able to vote. Taking a young person's ability to vote may take away the pride and civic duty they feel for their country. Permission to vote alongside the registration of the draft instills major responsibility, one that can't be understood by a sixteen-year old.

Counter arguments

Although the draft still exists, it's not as relevant as it once was. Perhaps it may be in the future, but in today's terms it makes no sense to base the minimum age to vote after the age of draft registration.

Premises

[P1] Registering at 18 for the draft is a declaration of patriotism. [P2] Voting is an act of patriotism.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] Registering for the draft is not a declaration of patriotism. [Rejecting P2] Voting is a right, not an act of patriotism.

References

This page was last edited on Monday, 30 Mar 2020 at 11:58 UTC

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