Why can't teenagers vote?
919385
Most lack maturity to make properly informed decisions. As do many adults.
1088338
people are getting lazy, most think that if they vote it wont make a difference (when it really does) and so they dont vote. when the rest of us make a decision that people dont agree with they gripe. if you vote, congratulations, and if you ever talk to someone who doesnt vote and gripes about the gov't tell them to change it by voting
229090
Very interesting question, Crappy (sorry for the shorthand). But to tell you the truth, it is already extremely easy for people to vote. If you can't find the time to vote for the people running your town, state, country - I really question your thought process. This is the greatest freedom given to the people of our country. It simply must be exercised. Especially in today's world of no excuse absentee ballots. I have not missed an election on any level since I have turned 18. This includes when I was away at college or working out of town on business. \n\nIn fact, I would go one step further (and will probably get bashed for this thought), but I believe that people should be made to take and pass a test on the candidates and their positoins on several key issues before they are allowed to vote. A bipartison comittee could mail out the answers to the test to the voters and make them available anywhere including the internet, but the important thing would be for people to know where the person they are voting for stands for on the major issues. They can take and retake the test as many times as they want, but I think if people were made to understand the candidates positions on key issues - we would have far more effective people elected and a far more informed populace...
436491
Is there a 'right' to vote? Or should we take a different view and argue that it is a 'privilege' to vote? Let's see.\n\nIf voting is a 'right', especially if you call it a 'civil right' then by definition it can not be taken away. Rights can not be lost, for then they would not be 'rights'. Privileges can be lost (ask any teenager!), but not rights. Also, 'rights' belong to everyone equally, so if you have any rules about voting, it can not be a 'right'. Many countries have a minimum voting age. Well, since many countries are filled with convicted criminals that can not vote, as well as underage people that can not vote, voting can not be legally considered a 'right'.\n\nWell then, it is a privilege? If so, there are rules on earning it and on losing it. How does one 'earn' the privilege to vote? Is it by being a landowner? Is it by being born male, or by being old enough? How old is old enough? Is it 18 or 21 years of age?\n\nDo any of these rules, or the many other ones tried by countries over the centuries ensure quality voters? Many of us know people of voting age that are just plain, well, not intelligent voters. We also know people too young to vote that are very careful and intelligent about casting their vote. I know dumb landowners and intelligent renters. If you want to call voting a privilege, I assure you that any line you draw for people to cross in order to 'earn' that privilege will be a flawed line. I offer you the argument that voting is not a privilege.\n\nVoting in political elections is not a right, nor is it a privilege. Then what is it? I contend that it is a grave responsibility. Those that do not agree, should not be allowed to vote. Those that do agree, should be allowed to vote. They should strive hard to make 'informed' decisions which are best for them in the long-term.
831624
Are you registered to vote in that state?  It's too late to register in most states.  They'll probably turn you down.
97353
Because he rigged the eVoting machines. Search for eVoting on Y!News and you'll find evidence of that.\n\nI'm to young to vote, but I would have voted against him could I have voted.
1178832
I always vote, and I agree with you. \n\nI have no idea why people do not vote... but they generally are the first to complain about the person elected.
1108789
Because it is the only way they can gain access to office. They can not survive an honest vote tally!
812824
If people don't vote, they need to accept everyone else's decisions becuase that is why you have the right to vote.  You each have to exercise that right or you don't have anyone to blame but yourself.
918141
There was a legitimate reason to lower the voting age to 18 from 21--with so many young people fighting and dying in Vietnam, it seemed appropriate for them to have a say in putting into power the policymakers who would control their destiny.\n\nHowever, there is no similar claim that can be made for 16 year olds.  Many may be interested in politics, but there is no legitimate reason to allow voting simply for the sake of voting.  By voting, citizens claim a role in the political process and seek to elect policymakers who will further their individual interests.  The interests and needs of a 16 year old largely are not addressed by Congress (with the notable exception of education-based bills), thus there is no legitimate claim for their right to vote.
230904
Only citizens of the country, 18 years or older are able to vote. In some states felons are not allowed to vote. For information on becoming a citizen, see the site below. To register to vote, see the second site.
1050982
There are several reasons.  First, most people are simply not smart enough to know who the canidates are, or what they stand for, so they stay home.  Many no longer feel a connection to the canidates as they feel special interests now control everything.  Many also feel that their vote does not count.  But the real reason is just plain laziness of the American voter, who will stand in line for hours for concert tickets, show tickets or sporting events, but if there are 3 people waiting to vote, the line is simply too long.
1034095
While I don't subscribe to any of your religious views, teens are very susceptible to influence; from friends, from advertising, and from people that can convince them they have a "better way".  They're at an age where they feel they can & should decide things for themselves, but usually haven't acquired enough experience or wisdom to see that they are making a bad, sometimes even dangerous, decision.
810340
because im too young to vote lol
776202
I don't think so.  If people don't want to vote, why make them?  Will it mean anything if they just pick random people because they don't want to be there?
819397
Why? because they want to affect the way people vote. Are they qualified? No, but when has that ever stopped anyone. What qualifies actors to tell us how to vote? Many of them never even finished HS.
604735
Are you aware of the Jim Crow laws? They made intelligence tests required. Remember, this legally keeps people from voting. I think almost everyone has an opinion. We should all be allowed to vote, even if we don't like who the people choose. I think if you don't vote everyone should know, and you should be banned from complaining. If you don't care enough about your nation to vote for the leader, what gives you the right to complain about it? This, of course, could not apply to those under eighteen or who were not of legal voting age when the last election occured. I think voter education would be much more productive. Politicians need to tell everyone exactly where they stand on topics, there need to be sheets comparing each persons stand on hot issues distributed to the masses. This can be difficult to do, but if all parties joined to make it happen, we would have smarter voters. People would, in theory, vote for politicians they side with. Then you would know whomever is in office is the favorite.