Currently in the UK if you are 18 years or older you are allowed to vote meaning anyone under this age can’t. People in prison and civil servants among many others are not allowed as well, meaning our votes have a less democratic outcome than they could have. However, there is the question of extending the franchise so the system of first past the post can be fairer. Some people feel that 16-year-olds should be more given the vote if we are to truly call ourselves a democracy.
16-year-olds are ready to vote and we know this because in Scotland for their referendums 16-year-olds are allowed to vote. So why shouldn’t we be following Scotland in updating our system as we are being left behind and not putting our trust in the younger generation, who when put into the Scottish referendum 100,000 of them showed up meaning they can take on political duties, showing they are ready to vote.
In addition, the current voting system is outdated as it was set in 1970. The 16-year-olds of today have more knowledge as it is part of the curriculum meaning they learn about it at school up to the age of 13 and after that they have the option of taking it in further education signifying that they will be more educated on the subject, unlike those in 1970 when they made the current system so why shouldn’t we be evolving our electoral system like we have been over the many centuries to increase and widen participation – natural progression.
However, if we didn’t decrease the voting age then when they turn 18 it would increase turnout as it would enhance their desire to vote. This then means they don’t get bored and stop voting instead stay interested longer as they will be waiting longer until being allowed to vote. The outcome of this is that there will be more people voting overtime meaning a more democratic outcome to the vote.
As well, their views can be easily swayed as parents, teachers, influencers might change their views on politics. This would mean uneducated opinions for the country affecting the outcome and leading to someone in charge who doesn’t deserve the seat showing how 16-year-olds are not mature enough for the vote as they don’t have all the rights and experience of an adult and could not have fully their own opinions yet.
Although I understand that they may not know enough about politics, allowing 16-year-olds to vote could start the promotion of politics to young people. Therefore we should lower the voting age to 16 because, as well as them participating and making the vote more democratic, it can lead young people into a career in politics or parliament meaning a wider range of abilities and youth in politics.
