Poll- Should the Voting Age be Reduced to 16 Years ?

The Greens, Labour and SF are backing a young people's campaign for votes from the age of 16. Yes or No?

cactus flower wrote:

The Greens, Labour and SF are backing a young people's campaign for votes from the age of 16. Yes or No?

I just voted twice, I demand a recount.

Everybody do as tonys did, and all will be well.

cactus flower wrote:

Everybody do as tonys did, and all will be well.

What class of scruple is this? For shame and you a green.

Anyway, how will anyone know what I did, unless of course they already know and if so, for how long do they know and what were they up to when they found out? I see dark clouds here…..

tonys- the important thing is - did you vote the same way each time?

tonys wrote:

cactus flower wrote:

Everybody do as tonys did, and all will be well.

What class of scruple is this? For shame and you a green.

Anyway, how will anyone know what I did, unless of course they already know and if so, for how long do they know and what were they up to when they found out? I see dark clouds here…..

Vote early, and vote often, is our motto here tonys

Plus, I have no shame and I'm not a Green.

Christ imagine translating the concerns of the average 16 year old into political policy. Scary. Actually, what would be worst is trying to translate the concerns of a politically aware 16 year old into public policy. Childern tend to extremes.

Voted no needless to say

Tbh, have done a bit of work with children and teenagers on what they would do. The teen age group are almost exclusively interested in social issues (i.e. opportunities for mating meeting). The age group with the greatest interest in and grasp of long term issues is the 8-12 age group, who probably should run our governments.

I don't see why the teen aged should be let off though. They get away with enough as it is.

I say give them the vote. Its not like they'll actually use it.

BTW, after the election in 2007 Ivan Yates noted that most young voters voted for Fianna Fail. I can't remember his definition of young, it may have been under 30.

I voted no though its a small no. I think the responsibility just isnt there yet for most 16 year olds, but at the same time I think a young influence on the vote would be breath of fresh air.

Respvblica wrote:

I voted no though its a small no. I think the responsibility just isnt there yet for most 16 year olds, but at the same time I think a young influence on the vote would be breath of fresh air.

Only if you can get the little buggers to brush their teeth on anything like a consistent basis.

Respvblica wrote:

I think the responsibility just isnt there yet for most 16 year olds,

It just isn't there for most voters. That, stupidity and a lack of knowledge and interest are the fundamental weaknesses of democracy. It is a bit like Communism, it could only work properly in heaven. With that in mind might as well give 10 year olds the vote for all the difference it would make. Indeed I would sooner trust the judgement of many 11 year olds than I would their parents. Anyone for the 'longer summer holidays and ban all exams party'? Certainly beats the dangerous crap the adults tend to come up with.