Here’s a sampling of the responses we received from readers when we asked “Do you think 16-year-olds should be able to vote in local elections?” All responses were kept anonymous, whether thought-provoking or just downright funny.
No!
“Remember the Tide Pod challenge?”
“Have you ever taught a 16-year-old to drive?”
“The list is endless, the answer is no, they should not be allowed to vote, unless you also agree they are mature enough to own a firearm?”
Yes!
“Start the voting at age 16. This combined with a civics class in high school would increase interest in the class because the knowledge could be applied immediately. Our students have lost quite a lot of decent benefits, like affordable post-high school schooling. They should have a say in what our government does to them.”
No!
“I think that 16-year-old [s] should have to wait till they are 18. A lot of maturing happens between the age of 16 and 18 learning about responsibilities, relationships, becoming adults in general. They need a few more life lessons.”
Yes!
“The short answer is YES. Only the civic-minded among them will care to exercise the right. Since they are inheriting a host of problems (both ecological and political) that were caused by the greed and biases of several generations before them, they should have input into what happens in their future.”
No!
“The argument presented herein is specious and not convincing. I once was a volunteer judge at High School Forensic competitions and heard many specious arguments made by such teens. If such freedoms for teens is declared, then parental rights are weakened. At the same time we are assaulted with legislation holding parents liable when their kids have access to guns. Any argument for teen voting rights must be more rational than what your site presents. I see no rational, objective argument for such legislation. I, as a senior know that I was certainly not qualified to vote in major elections when I was 16 and neither were my associates at that time of the same age were not qualified.”
Maybe?
“If they start to vote this young then we need to consider them to be adults…will we make the draft the age of 16 years of age[?] I have no problem with the age but consider all of the consequences that they and we inherit. That is when all the molesters in school start to come out. Be careful what we wish for.”