There are a lot of back and forths around the world debating whether minors, ages like 15, 16, and 17, should be able to vote.
I think anyone should be able to vote because at the end of the day, it’s for the way they want their future to be and who they want in control. Everyone should have a say in who they want in office.
Giving minors a voice will ensure that the future is shaped by those who will inherit it. Young people are seriously affected by government decisions, from education and climate change to labor laws.
Allowing us to vote gives us a say in decisions that will shape our future. Many minors, especially teenagers are super informed and politically engaged, some are even more informed than adults are.
Social media and the internet makes us exposed to political issues early. Some minors also work and pay taxes. The voting age of 18 is okay. That age is known as a “young adult” age but at 16, some minors are driving, working, etc.
If we can take on those responsibilities fine, why can’t we vote?
Voting young also makes others more likely to keep voting as adults, leading to a stronger democracy. Letting minors vote could also improve school policies because students spend years in school, but adults make all the decisions about education.
Other countries let 16 year olds vote, for example, places like Scotland let minors vote and it seems to work just fine. The U.S 26th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified on July 1, 1971. It lowered the voting age for all Americans to 18 years. So why can’t we lower it again?
Democracy is also about including everyone affected by decisions, minors are affected but ignored. It just isn’t fair.