rising voter age

 rising voter age

There have been several debates and arguments on raising the voting age, but the appropriate solution has not been reached as many parties go unsatisfied. Following these debates on raising the voting age, I think it could be more suitable for voting age to stay at 18 rather than at 16 or 21 years. Some people think that citizens under the age of 21 have enough understanding of politics and their roles in the country. Others think that individuals below 21 years are immature, and they make immature decisions when voting. It is not right to assume that all people below 21 years can make only informed decisions because some pay attention and express their views in the government. However, it is not fair to assume that every 18 aged youths go out and votes at random as even if the voting age is to be raised, they will still make informed decisions. Thus raising voting age is not an appropriate procedure to address issues on the voting decision or voter turnout. This paper discusses the rising voter age.

There are a variety of reasons why the voting age should not be raised or lowered due to their impact on the country’s voting process. Many youths aged 18 years are graduating from high schools to start their new life that they become more attentive to be involved in issues of the countries as full citizens. Despite how they have little experience in life, their participation in the voting process has significant impacts on their life. 18 is the age of adulthood of legal independence and free activity on political choices such as voting. It is not realistic to lower the voting age as it would be amazing to have people being able to vote and still are at school.  Thus, we cannot discredit or disvalue an age group just because we think they are too young to make sound opinions or reliable decisions.

Eighteen years olds individuals are generally aware and intelligent to understand the politics of a country. This is the optimum age where people can make their decisions based on their own rather than peer pressure or and influenced by someone. By the age of 18 years, one has a good understanding of how the country is performing and their roles as citizens in the country. Moreover, the judgment section of the brain becomes fully developed at the age of 19 that initiates a deeper understanding of the impacts of the decisions that one makes.  Since many youths actively follow the politics of the country that they have political awareness, it would be unfair to deny them to vote. Therefore raising age will refuse an opportunity for several youths who could actively be involved in the political development of the country.

Youths under the age of 18 yrs age are not mature enough to be fully involved in the election. Many young teenagers demonstrate a lower interest in politics that they have less political knowledge and lack of experience required to participate in elections. This is because the brain of young adults aged 16 years is still undergoing major reconstruction and development, according to scientists and other experts. However, most of the young adults are no independence that they are living with their parents, a fact that can facilitates influences on the voting choices of their parents and peers. Young adults may be easily swayed away by immoral politicians to be on their side, influencing them to make unethical decisions. As a habit from earlier views and experiences, younger youths are not interested in voting until later in life. This fact will facilitate low turnout numbers as a result of the lack of concern among young adults aged 16 years in politics and the voting process.

Raising the voting age will discourage and reduce voter turnout among the youths during the election, thus affecting lifelong voting habits. People who participate actively in elections when they reach their voting age of 18 years are more likely to develop positive habits of voting throughout their lives. Those who do not participate in voting when they are young are more likely to remain nonvoters. At the age of 18 years, youth would have learned about the government and civics in high schools and in a different environment to make them have full knowledge of voting. By the time youth finish high school, they can choose a competent leader with good qualities to guide others by themselves. According to the research, a person who votes in one election at the age of 18 has a high probability of voting in the future polls that those who start voting at 25 years and above. Thus, the feeling of voting will be restored in young adults to continue being involved in voting process duty in the future actively.

The concept of ignorance of politics has a severe impact in a country regardless of their age. Ignorance of politics is an approach that is limited to young adults aged 18 years, as most of them are willing and active to participate in the election. After attaining citizenship in the country, the majority of the youth are eager to participate and practice their legal rights. This initiates a strong base toward the act of voting throughout their lives. Besides, there are many so many older people who are also entirely ignorant of their lawful right to participate in the election. In some places, younger adults are more intelligent and aware of politics than the older population that they are capable of making the right political decisions. So we should not raise the voting age, thinking that the young adult aged eighteen years will be unable to make the right choices during the election. Thus, I believe the ignorance of the voting process should be adequately addressed to stimulate the likes and concerns of people to participate in the election actively.

According to the arguments of the majority, 18 years is the best voting age as people from this age can adequately make their own decisions. In this age of adulthood, people tend to be actively sharing the political views of a country based on the knowledge they have acquired in the classroom. Also, there is a full acceptance of one’s actions in society, making young adults always to make wise decisions between different things. However, younger youth will focus on the voting process to elect the functional leaders to lead in the future so as not to regret their choices. Responsibility initiates more concern in everything that one chooses in life. Therefore, at the age of 18, people start developing political interests through sharing ideas with others or from school knowledge to make the right choices.

The concept of democracy in many countries requires that every citizen aged 18 years and above has the right to vote. A state that is democratic and supports freedom will eventually allow the youth to be actively involved in the voting process. Democracy initiates the ability to express their grievances to their leaders in the right way to enable them to respond to their needs, hence promoting their welfare. Moreover, through democracy, younger adults will be able to make their decisions when voting peacefully. The younger population has more knowledge of the most competent leaders with good qualities in their leadership, a fact that prepares them to choose the right leader. When the approach of democracy is adhered in a country, every youth will be actively be involved in politics following their deep concern. Thus, we should promote equality by keeping the voting age at 18 rather than raising the age range, denying most of the youths their rights.

In conclusion, my opinion is to keep the voting age where it is rather than raising or lowering it. Raising the voting age will affect mainly the youths who want their grievances and opinions to be taken into consideration in the country. If the youth aged 18 years and above are not allowed to choose their representative, their needs may not be adequately listened. We should let the young adults be actively be engaged in voting practices to promotes positive voting habits during the election throughout their lives. This will encourage higher voter turnout in future elections in the country as the citizens recognize voting as their responsibility as required by the law. Besides, the majority of the voters elect the most popular leader, so we should not deny younger adults the ability to vote, seeing they cannot make decisions. Thus, we should provide an opportunity for all youths aged 18 years and above to vote, to express their grievances and needs to their leaders adequately.