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Question: Young people should be able to vote in elections when they turn 16.

Results: There were 88 votes. 51 voted YES for being able to vote at 16, 35 voted NO. The number who voted don't care? Two!

Comments

• If voting is optional for 16 year old kids then it will attract those who really care.
• For most people, the age of political maturity doesn't come at sixteen and it doesn't even come at eighteen. Keeping in line with the guise of choice and of "equity", it'd be a requirement to be able to produce a single age that EVERYBODY is affirmed with the capacity to vote at and I would actually be inclined to suggest that age be eighteen - on an official note - but maybe thirty - on a personal preference.
• people seem to think that young people are not involved enough in greater society to have enough civic education to vote. its a moral responsibility etc. etc. i'm 16 and the people i work with(all over 20) do not know who the opposition leader is, who barack obama is, what the GFC is. my friends and i care about who taxes us, where the money goes, our future. but we can't vote. i understand that there are many who are 'uneducated' but at least we can change that! people out of school are lost from any form of civics education. i urge a COMPULSORY voting system from the age of 16, and also the institution of some sort of education about the political system, however brief, through the schooling system.
• Though i think it should be by choice and then become compulsory at the age of 18, i would have loved to be able to vote at the age of 16 but thats because i like to have my say others may not really care at the age of 16. Maturity is also something that would have to be considered.
• however this right should only be granted if the proper education about the politicians and political parties are enforced as part of the school curriculum. because if 16 year olds were to vote now most would not have the maturity or the appreciation for the right they are being given and also not enough knowledge about who they are voting for.
•   I believe 16 year old people should vote because they will become one of the main people affected by the Prime Minister during their term/s
• they probably do not have a very broad understanding of politics and what is best for everyone. People at such a young age may only vote out of greed instead of a mind caring for all types of people and the cultural differences in society. I myself am 13 and believe that I should not be able to vote until I am 18, when you have had the chance to experience the world more nad maka careful benificial desicions.
• They should only be allowed to vote in their city or suburb
• They should, at least to seventeen, some may not care, but at least 40% would, i know i do
• They live i nour world and most teenagers at that age are very mature and deserve a say. My suggestion is that it is not compulsary to vote between the ages 16-18 but once they turn 18 it then becomes compulsary and they have to pay if they do not vote unless there is a good explanation!!
• there's plenty of 16 and 17 year olds just like me who wouldn't care and just vote for anything. i think we need a little time to be kids and not have to worry about that stuff. we can just do it when we're 18.
• they are old enough to have there say.
• They are not responsible enough and don't understand the repercussions of their actions. Many 18 year olds are still too young and immature.
• Non-compulsory. 18+ compulsory
• 16 is a good age
• Most likely that an election wont happen right when people turn 16 or that they will be registered to vote if that does happen but this at least would give young people the possibility of voting and engage them in the process whilst still at school where they may be taught more about the system.
• It's to confusing. Wait til we’re older
• They don't understand the laws
• it should be 16-18 (or even 16-21) optional and compulsry after that. I have a job and pay taxes yet dole bludgers can vote and i can't cause i am under 18.
• Why not. they are the people who will later grow up to run this country
• i think it should be optional and when they are 18 or 20 they have to.
• If you are capable of making decisions about your own sexuality at 16, why are you considered incapable of making decisions about who to vote for?

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