Posted on 09/19/2014 2:56:32 PM PDT by right-wing agnostic
Scotland allowed 16 and 17 year olds to vote in yesterday’s historic referendum on independence. Georgetown political theorist Jason Brennan, author of the excellent book The Ethics of Voting, makes a strong case that the United States should do the same thing:
Scotland decided to trust its 16-year-olds to vote in the biggest question in its history when the country headed to the polls this week for a referendum on independence. Americans, in contrast, don’t even trust theirs to help pick the county sheriff. Who’s right?
Many here might be skeptical about the idea of the United States following Scotland’s lead in lowering the voting age. The trouble is that the main reason most people cite for barring 16- and 17-year-olds from voting looks like an equally good reason to stop most American adults from voting, too.
The key argument against letting high school juniors vote is simple: Their choice would affect all of us. After all, a voter chooses for everyone, not just him or herself. Many worry that most 16-year-olds lack the wisdom or knowledge to cast smart votes, so we don’t let them vote because we want to protect ourselves from their decisions.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
They shouldn’t have lowered it to 18.
No.
The age of 18 was adopted in the Viet Nam war era, old enough to be drafted and be killed in combat; not old enough to vote. I submit that not all draftees are qualified to vote; but if any group of people has a moral right to vote, it is those subject to the draft. Those on the government teat have the wrong side of their skin in the game, and ought to be denied the vote.
Voting age should be raised to 25, and no women voters. putting on my nomex suit
Voting at 16?
Uhmmmm, sure and you can make them fully, wholly and solely responsible for contracts.
They are fully emancipated.
They can smoke.
They can drink.
They can shoot foreigners in wars.
Statutory rape would only apply to those under 16 years of age.
they could filmed in certain provacative situations.
Yeah, cuz most 16 year olds are ready to handle life, its vagaries and stark consequences.
/S
Five year olds...definitely five year olds!
Really, newbie?
I don’t think it makes much difference one way or the other.
nope, i’d be in favor of making it that only property owners (ie LAND/HOME property tax payers) vote.
It should be raised to 21. (Because raising it to 40 is a bridge too far)
Yes, because children are so wise.
Hell no.
What we should do, and there is just about no way it will ever happen short of my dream, is go back to the original plan and only let landed persons vote... I’d give women a pass though it is against my better judgement but that would be my concession.
Raise the voting age to 21 as well.
One wonders… Did they recently have a huge influx of "undocumented" minors crossing its southern border from a country with a vested interest in the outcome that ended up participating the referendum ??
Agree. As per Article I Section 2, and the 17th Amendment, the states could do that for reps and senators anytime they wish.
If you live with your parents, they should vote for you.
I agree and I am serious about it too.
I agree that you must own property and pay taxes to vote. Otherwise we have the problem we have now, the takers become the majority and vote to take everything. As far as 16 year olds voting I can see it now. Liberal High School teachers would require they vote by absentee ballot to be filled out in class and left for grading by the faculty in order to pass for the next grade. Of course the teacher would correct any “errors” and then make sure the forms are filed. Don’t laugh, I would not be surprised if it happened.
AGREE!
The voting age should be raised to 40. By then, you’ve had some life experiences, ups and downs, have learned responsibility and maybe, just maybe, understand that voting for the cute candidate isn’t going to cut it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.