Voting Age

[sdecaro558]

I think the voting age should be lowered in this country to 14 years old.  If you're 14, with a parent's consent, you can get working papers and be gainfully employed.  It is likely only a part time job, but it's still a job, on the books, and you're getting taxes taken out of that.  Because you're too young to vote, that is taxation without representation.

Let's hear some opinions on this.

[abryant21]

I think the voting age should be lowered in this country to 14 years old.  If you're 14, with a parent's consent, you can get working papers and be gainfully employed.  It is likely only a part time job, but it's still a job, on the books, and you're getting taxes taken out of that.  Because you're too young to vote, that is taxation without representation.

Let's hear some opinions on this.

This absolutely ture about what you say. But generally speeking are these young 14 year olds actually old enough for their votes not to influence by what they hear their parent say, but instead of they turely know about politics and politicans? If so then yes, if not then no.

Get back to me on some opinions.

[pirewolf]

I would say yes. Your point is completely valid. Plus I was the one interested in voting when I was in 3rd grade. That is to young, but it shows that lots of kids that work even at 16 do not get to vote, but should get the option. I mean most adults don't vote, so what would be the harm in letting everyone who pays taxes vote. Even young adults have rights. People under estimate the amount that kids want to contribute. Plus if they had the option sooner alot more people would vote when they are older.

[Abrupt]

I am generally against this idea unless you suddenly have seen a bunch of super wise juveniles running around.  In general voting should be discouraged unless the person voting has an idea bout what is involved.  It already seems more like a popularity contest or some sort of american idol type voting method being used by most.  I would suspect that most of these younger people couldn't even tell you who the VP was or the secretary of state, or name one single supreme court justice, or explain the significance of the constitution, or even be aware that we live in a Republic and not a Democracy, and  many other pertinent issues that should be the minimum requirements of being reasonable to cast an informed ballot.  Do you really want people voting who are unaware of those things?

[visvern]

  they should be able to vote if they have proof of employment and pass a test on government and current affairs. the test is to make sure they voting their opinion and their parents view. also to make sure they are making mature well infomed decisions on important issues. so yes if they are paying taxes and are mature and informed let them vote

[hawkeye3210]

That is an awful idea.  Most 18 year olds are not smart enough to vote let only a 14 year old.

[falcon9]

Do you really want people voting who are unaware of those things?

What are the significant differences between having a 14, 18, 21, 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70 year old voter who is unaware of those aspects and yet, may vote any which way?

[Abrupt]

Do you really want people voting who are unaware of those things?

What are the significant differences between having a 14, 18, 21, 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70 year old voter who is unaware of those aspects and yet, may vote any which way?

Probably about the same as it would regarding drinking and age.

[jordandog]

Sure, let's go ahead and allow 14 year olds to vote. Since that would also give them the ability to vote on many issues involving the law/legality of things such as abortion, same sex marriage, etc., on a state and national level, when they happen to commit a crime they will in turn be treated at the adult level. No more expunging of juvenile crimes when they reach 18 or 21. If they are male, they should also be required to follow the military drafting law that all male U.S. citizens, and male aliens living in the U.S., who are ages 18 through 25, must register with the Selective Service System. We will simply change the threshold to 14- 25 years of age. While we are at it, it's a no brainer to also give them a drivers license even though it is fact that 14 year olds brains do NOT have the capacity to react or think ahead more than ~3 minutes as far as consequences for actions. *No, please don't insert the argument as to 'old people' and their reaction time while driving. It has zero to do with this right now.*

This list could go on and on, but if you are reading this and able to comprehend what I have said, you will get the point. There are certainly 14 year olds out there with more knowledge and capacity to research/ understand how the voting process works vs many in their 30's. I am NOT saying that age is always a restriction when it comes down to certain things. Personally, I don't want to walk into the voting booth and see Justin Bieber's name under write in candidates......

[falcon9]

Do you really want people voting who are unaware of those things?

What are the significant differences between having a 14, 18, 21, 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70 year old voter who is unaware of those aspects and yet, may vote any which way?

Probably about the same as it would regarding drinking and age.

Semi-arbitrary as that may be, what about a 'voting competency test' for voters of any age?  Something along the lines of issue awareness, not as a pre-voting poll disguised as a competency test.

[falcon9]

Sure, let's go ahead and allow 14 year olds to vote. Since that would also give them the ability to vote on many issues involving the law/legality of things such as abortion, same sex marriage, etc., on a state and national level, when they happen to commit a crime they will in turn be treated at the adult level. No more expunging of juvenile crimes when they reach 18 or 21.

I concur; the 'right' to vote ought to be linked to other responsibilities and obligations as well.

If they are male, they should also be required to follow the military drafting law that all male U.S. citizens, and male aliens living in the U.S., who are ages 18 through 25, must register with the Selective Service System. We will simply change the threshold to 14- 25 years of age. 

Since you brought up the point of the military draft, shouldn't females who are eligible to vote and are of draft age also be subject to the draft?

[Abrupt]

Do you really want people voting who are unaware of those things?

What are the significant differences between having a 14, 18, 21, 30, 40, 50, 60 or 70 year old voter who is unaware of those aspects and yet, may vote any which way?

Probably about the same as it would regarding drinking and age.

Semi-arbitrary as that may be, what about a 'voting competency test' for voters of any age?  Something along the lines of issue awareness, not as a pre-voting poll disguised as a competency test.

While I like the general idea of this but am not sure that it is constitutional.  It could be somewhat like the basic citizenship exams and would have to avoid any policy issues.  The reason we have an electoral college is actually because of these issues and that the founders didn't think the average citizen was aware enough to cast a 'reasonably informed vote'.  Honestly they were probably correct I would guess, but I am not sure that the electoral system properly fulfills its initial reason for being. 

[sigmapi1501]

Semi-arbitrary as that may be, what about a 'voting competency test' for voters of any age?  Something along the lines of issue awareness, not as a pre-voting poll disguised as a competency test.

I think they used to do something like that in Alabama.

[falcon9]

What about a 'voting competency test' for voters of any age?  Something along the lines of issue awareness, not as a pre-voting poll disguised as a competency test.

I think they used to do something like that in Alabama.

Did they discontinue such testing when no voters were able to qualify?

[falcon9]

It could be somewhat like the basic citizenship exams and would have to avoid any policy issues. 

Given the general awareness levels of the general voting public, it may have to be multiple-choice, (avoiding actual policy issues and asking potential voters if they are aware of which platform issues attach to which candidates, for instance).

The reason we have an electoral college is actually because of these issues and that the founders didn't think the average citizen was aware enough to cast a 'reasonably informed vote'.  Honestly they were probably correct I would guess, but I am not sure that the electoral system properly fulfills its initial reason for being. 

Ever since high school civics class, I'd wondered why voters continue to believe that they vote for presidential candidates instead of the way their election works through the electoral college.  Based on that, I wouldn't have a lot confidence in most of them casting an informed vote.