Tuesday, 6 September 2011

Votes for 16 year olds


The issue of voting age has long been discussed but has been 18 since 1969, prior to which it was 21. 

In most countries around the world it is 18, but why should we conform to this?  (The lower age of 16 is more common in areas of South America.)

The current e-petition proposed by Ross Greer gives sound reasons why we should lower the voting age, including proper respect for young people.  It also lists a host of other rights citizens have at 16.  I agree, I think the voting age should be reduced.  Society should be more inclusive of its younger citizens.  (By the way, I am 52.)

I live in Stoke-on-Trent.  With our current system of local elections four years apart, it is possible for a young person to be 22 before they get a chance to vote.  There is a likelihood of a young person growing up and moving away to university before having the chance to vote in the city of their childhood.  Reducing the voting age to 16 would allow an extra ~6000 young people in Stoke-on-Trent the chance to vote.

Sign the petition - Give 16 year olds the vote!

Web links

Petition

Voting age information

Stoke-on-Trent population information




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