Voting Age

[Abrupt]

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.

It is funny you mention that as I am sure that most think it is direct vote based.  Even when they hear about delegate pick ups from states during votes and comparisons to 'popular vote' they still don't seem to get it.  I guess it will take a massive discrepancy in delegates to popular vote before they start to clue in.

[falcon9]

It is funny you mention that as I am sure that most think it is direct vote based.  Even when they hear about delegate pick ups from states during votes and comparisons to 'popular vote' they still don't seem to get it.  I guess it will take a massive discrepancy in delegates to popular vote before they start to clue in.

There have been a few such discrepencies in past elections, (I'd have to look up the exact instances, however).  Some may have been clued-in when these occurred while others either don't recall such instances or, didn't catch on regardless.

[queenofnines]

I don't think anyone at 14 has enough life experience or knows enough about politics to be competent enough to vote, no matter how "mature" they are.

[tzs]

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

You severely underestimate the intelligence of teenagers. Give them some credit, some are beyond ready to start voting, and know more about the political ongoings than the average adult!

[animikokala]

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?

I think females should be subject to the draft as well.  It's only fair.

As for voting age, I agree that the voting rights should be linked with other responsibilities and consequences (like those mentioned in earlier posts).  And as for those few 14 year olds working...they are not going to be working full time or anything; labor laws prevent that.  When I lived in TN, the only way a 14 year old could get a job was if the family had a sufficient need for the income, and even then the 14 year old was limited to farm related jobs.  No one would hire anyone under 16.

[frozenimage]

maybe not 14...16 would have been a better choice, imo, with parental permission, of course. I just want kids to have a better understanding on how politics work these days.

[falcon9]

I think females should be subject to the draft as well.  It's only fair.

The symmetry would seem obvious.  Afterall, if women were drafted, (and registering for the draft doesn't mean they would be in the current all-volunteer force paradigm), they wouldn't necessarily be assigned to combat positions.  Although they are not presently assigned to combat positions, there's no inherent reason why women could not perform combat functions at some future time, (as the military forces have other nations have shown).

As for voting age, I agree that the voting rights should be linked with other responsibilities and consequences (like those mentioned in earlier posts).  

Do you think that voting 'rights' should not apply unless those linked responsibilities, obligations and consequences also apply?

[animikokala]

As for voting age, I agree that the voting rights should be linked with other responsibilities and consequences (like those mentioned in earlier posts).  

Do you think that voting 'rights' should not apply unless those linked responsibilities, obligations and consequences also apply?

In terms of "mental responsibility", sure.  If you are deemed competent enough to vote, you should also be considered competent enough to be held responsible for all of your actions in other aspects of your life.  For example, someone who commits a crime and is declared mentally incompetent should not be allowed to vote until such time as they are no longer "mentally incompetent".

On the other hand, physical capabilities should have no bearing on voting rights. 

[falcon9]

As for voting age, I agree that the voting rights should be linked with other responsibilities and consequences (like those mentioned in earlier posts).  

Do you think that voting 'rights' should not apply unless those linked responsibilities, obligations and consequences also apply?


[/quote]

In terms of "mental responsibility", sure.  If you are deemed competent enough to vote, you should also be considered competent enough to be held responsible for all of your actions in other aspects of your life.  For example, someone who commits a crime and is declared mentally incompetent should not be allowed to vote until such time as they are no longer "mentally incompetent".

By extension, are you inherently for some sort of competency test for potential voters?

On the other hand, physical capabilities should have no bearing on voting rights.

If women were drafted, (and registering for the draft doesn't mean they would be in the current all-volunteer force paradigm), they wouldn't necessarily be assigned to combat positions.  Nevertheless, anyone who is physically-restricted from military service need not be concerned about being drafted.

[potluck6]

i think 14 is way to young.my own son is 20 and not registered a year or so ago when we were voting for governor in cal. i told him he should register and vote he said vote for who" i said well jerry brown is running he shook his head and said "isn't he the black singer who died a ways back" no i said that was james brown so that was that.i will try to get him to register and vote for  well james  brown might be good.

[ckaliszewski]

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

You are so right. It's bad enough that 18 yo's get to vote when they don't truly have any idea how the things politicians are saying will affect them and their families.

[frozenimage]

I agree with 14 being the voting age. I'm sure by 14, you'd understand how america works these days. They'll make a difference, esp. this year's elections.

[jordandog]

I agree with 14 being the voting age. I'm sure by 14, you'd understand how america works these days. They'll make a difference, esp. this year's elections.

I may not be picking up on it right now, my brain is very tired from a long night working, but please tell me you are being sarcastic here?! You cannot honestly think a 14 year old understands "how america works these days" when a great percentage of people with decades of life experience have NO clue, can you? If you are serious, perhaps it's best if you vote in another country and not this one....

[falcon9]

I agree with 14 being the voting age. I'm sure by 14, you'd understand how america works these days. They'll make a difference, esp. this year's elections.

I may not be picking up on it right now, my brain is very tired from a long night working, but please tell me you are being sarcastic here?! You cannot honestly think a 14 year old understands "how america works these days" when a great percentage of people with decades of life experience have NO clue, can you? If you are serious, perhaps it's best if you vote in another country and not this one....

Not sure if they were being sarcastic or not however, most 14 year olds cannot tell you how their own family's economy works, let alone how voting or the country's economy works.

[sarabtrayior]

It may make sense, but shouldn't the kid be able to drive to get to the voting place???