When it comes to electing politicians, 18 has been designated almost everywhere across the world as the age to vote, but that age has caused underrepresentation, especially for those who are younger. Young people are less represented in the government and, as a byproduct, are less interested in paying attention to politics.
We should lower the voting age to 16 so that it encourages students to be more involved in politics and increases better representation for people.
By lowering the voting age, students will be more likely to get involved in politics early and to continue to vote in the future. A study from the University of Maryland has shown that young people are less interested in politics and more likely not to vote or vote without thinking. Getting a head start on voting at a younger age will make it a routine, and they will continue in the future.
Lowering the voting age will increase voting turnout among people overall during elections and will lead to a better democracy for all. Having more people with the right to vote will be better for democracy to be truly representative of all individuals. When Austria lowered the voting age in 2008 to 16, it led to an increase of 27% in voter turnout among younger voters, and the average age of elected representatives decreased from 57 to 44. This was able to make the government a truly representative government of all people.
In the government, young people are not represented enough, and by lowering the voting age, their issues and concerns will be addressed properly. Evidence for this was shown when Maryland lowered the voting age in 2019 to 16 in local elections. These issues, such as housing, education, and cost of living, were seen as more officially addressed, and young voters felt like they were being represented by people in the government who represented their values.
The reason why people argue against lowering the voting age is that minors are not mature enough to vote, and they haven’t completely developed their frontal lobes. Females and males often developed their frontal lobes from ages 23 and 25, respectively, which is older than the current voting age. If this concept were applied, it would disenfranchise millions of people and their fundamental right to vote for who shall represent them.
Another reason people refute is that they see 16-year-olds lack life experience to properly vote, but in reality, 16-year-olds have reached the point where they are able to drive and have a license; they also at the same time, are able to get a job and get taxed, which undermines the fundamental right of no taxation without representation.
We should persuade as many lawmakers as possible by petitioning them and directly communicating to their offices about this issue and what the benefits will be by lowering the voting age.
Lowering the voting age to 16 will overall be a net positive for all and make the government truly representative of all people.
