should 16 yr olds and older vote?
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.
306955
Yes, along with the drinking age. The first time I voted, I voted my parents' choice. Now I vote mine. I would allow an exception for those serving in the military. I agree that if they're old enough to stand up for the country, they should have a voice in who's in office.
914349
Absolutely NOT. \n\nThis would be contrary to everything democracy stands for.\n\nEvery person of voting age should have an equal right to vote - anything else is not democracy and leads to the type of elite-ism satirised in George Orwell's animal farm - all people will be equal but some people will be more equal than others.\n\nWhat is more, I refuse to limit my answer on such an important issue to 25 words and there is not a damned thing you can do about it. \n\nI will use my right of free speech and my right to vote no matter how much you might disagree with my ability to choose wisely. \n\nToo many people don't have this luxury and too many people died ensuring I do have it. I will treasure and defend my right and the right of others to speak and vote freely.
870335
Yes, by all means, VOTE!\n\n(unless you're Republican, of course - JUST KIDDING!).\n\nYou're right, it is a sign of our times, dirty tricks on both sides (some already proven), questionable voting machines ,etc.  But you should vote for two reasons:  \n\nAs an American citizen it is your right and duty to vote.  The only way to ensure our Democracy is for our citizens to exercise their rights under that Democracy, including voting for those who will lead it and shape its policies.\n\nIf you believe that the current Administration is bungling the war in Iraq, or can't handle a disaster like Katrina, or disagree with Bush's assessment that Rumsfeld and Cheney are doing a heck of a job (like "Brownie" did), then you need to vote Democratic to restore a balance of power in Washington.  If you think America is 100% on the right track, and that the President should have almost unlimited power, with a rubber-stamp congress and superceding even the Constitution, you should vote Republican.\n\nEither way, you should vote.  Regardless of who they vote for,  I hope all good citizens do and vote their conscience, not what their party or religious leaders tell them to.
900030
You're in Britain, right?\n\nThat is interesting about the Isle of Man lowering the voting age.  Honestly, I often think 18 is on the young side to be voting (I thought this even when I was 18).  So, my answer, even though we are not discussing my country (US) would be "No".\n\nWhat do you think?
940168
16 is too young.\nRaise the age to 18, when they are all legally responsible for ALL their own actions.\nHow about that for starters?
934546
No. At 18, most young people are mature and ready through their education to make intelligent decisions. Most will be seniors in high school or graduated. I do not think those who are under 18 have the education, life experience, or knowledge to make such important decisions.\n\nChow!!
225927
Usually you have to be 16.
838308
Yes. 16 year olds have a lot to deal with in society: going to school, maybe working, putting up with bull at school, like cliques and phoney people, some stupid ass teachers.\nmany kids do not have 2 parents, or one or two is not acting right and so on. If a 15-16 year old has problems, like little control over their lives, such as abusive parents or bf or gf or other peers, they should have that independence.\ncome on, look around, see the news; kids have a lot of pressure from the nasty/phoney media and from the not so stable fellow citizens they have to deal with. there is a lot of bull and bad stuff in america's society. yeah 16 year old is right to have all rights.\nof course people should encourage 16 year olds to think things thru and educate themselves on matters, like finance, voting, relationships, health and so on. take care everyone.
271650
HoR- 25 years of age\nSenate- 30 years of age\nThat is all you just have to make people vote for you.
741686
I remember volunteering for a political campaign when I was 17.  I was nervously positioned at a busy intersection handing out leaflets.  A man grabbed one, glanced at it, and snorted in disgust at the candidate's neatly trimmed beard. "He needs to shave," was the only comment, and his mind was set for election day.  I remember simmering in the irony that, come the election, his opinion was more valuable than my own.\n\nThat's just to say that yes, 18 is a pretty darn arbitrary number.  And even then so many teens don't vote that you may not have much clout in your demographic.  If there's hope, I think it's that grassroots movements tend to be effective, especially on a local level.  You may not be able to vote, but you can convince neighbors and family members that an issue is important and organize them to make sure politicians listen.\n\nHang in there.
332637
It depends...some states consider 16yrs of age legally an adult.\n\nyou will have to check with your states law regarding that.
424960
yes i would vote yes on this if they changed the age to 16
241384
Age does not always make better leaders.  However, it does give you more evidence of who they are to base your vote on.  By the time someone is 50 or 60 years old, their life ought to give you a pretty good indication as to who they are and what they believe.  There is also a downside to electing older leaders.  Some tend to be unable to grasp the way the world has changed and the needs of today's youth as opposed to what worked when they were young.
832390
Nothing.  It's a right, but it's not mandatory.\n\nBut you really should vote.
128767
actaully deoending on the crime you can be charged as an adult at a very young age. but i feel that most 16 year olds aren't mature enough to make adult decisions. i actually think the age should be raised.
738986
Give me liberty or give me death. All the way. The older you get, the more it seems to matter.  Though, the Viet Nam war and drafting kids not allowed to vote kinda got a bit personal to me.