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Voting Age Lowered to 16+

OwenOwen Community Manager Posts: 15 Settling in
edited August 13 in Politics & Debate
Hey everyone,

You may have seen the big news- the UK is officially lowering the voting age to 16!

This is going to be a big change in how our democracy works. Many say it's a long-overdue recognition that young people deserve a say in their future, especially when it comes to issues like climate change, education, and mental health. Others think 16-17 yr olds might not have the life experience or political understanding to make such a big decision....

So what do you all think?
Should 16-year-olds have the vote?
Could it change the outcome of elections?
....would love to hear your thoughts!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c93kkg37n3kt
Post edited by Katie on
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Comments

  • toffuna101toffuna101 Posts: 3,144 Boards Guru
    no way...
  • Amy22Amy22 Posts: 5,395 Part of The Furniture
    I've heard about this recently and I think we had a leaflet thing on it too in my area recently. I think it's good to get more younger people into politics and democracy because its important we hear their say in things. Most of the time it's genuinely the older generation who tends to get the majority of votes whereas younger folk have more viewpoints as well as fresh.

    I know that for some people they aren't happy about 16 year olds being able to vote but eventually we are going to need to get more of the younger generation having their say otherwise nothing will be changed. How can change happen when no one is given a chance etc. I know some will say a lot of 16 year olds are still young and may be less responsible when it comes to voting in general elections etc, which I can almost understand because your still a teenager in a way rather than an adult. But I think it will be more interesting to see younger people getting to have a say on things.
    Just a person who likes pop culture and films
  • independent_independent_ Community Connector Posts: 9,898 Supreme Poster
    Overall I think it is a good thing. We already have it in Scottish elections, and while I was over 18 before I voted for the first time because of the timing of them, I always thought it was good to get the opinions of younger people. After all, 16 and 17 year olds can join the army, work and pay taxes. At least here in Scotland you can literally leave education entirely at that age (as I did) and you're out there in that big wide world that atm, you don't have a say on. So in that respect it's a good thing.

    Many are misinformed, and some are immature at that age, it's an age where maturity is widely different from person to person. But I think with good education about politics it could go really well.
    “Sometimes the people around you won’t understand your journey. They don’t need to, it’s not for them.”
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