The OFFICIAL NSC Voting Age Poll

[Notters]

Thoughts?

I haven't actually voted myself yet as I can see the arguments for both raising and lowering it, but I'd like to know what you think.

 

[KneeOn]

Definatly lowered to 16

 

[tinytears]

If you are old enough to work and pay tax, you shoild be allowed to vote on how it is used

 

[Notters]

Definatly lowered to 16

Because?

I don't think I knew enough about politics at 16. Now you could argue that that's my fault. I'd say one of the key risks with it would be that most 16 year olds are still living with their parents and therefore haven't had the chance to explore society and decide for themselves where their political allegiences (if any) lie.

 

[Notters]

If you are old enough to work and pay tax, you shoild be allowed to vote on how it is used

Does this include 13 year old paperboys, or anyone who pays VAT?

 

[KneeOn]

Because?

I don't think I knew enough about politics at 16. Now you could argue that that's my fault. I'd say one of the key risks with it would be that most 16 year olds are still living with their parents and therefore haven't had the chance to explore society and decide for themselves where their political allegiences (if any) lie.

I was gonna spare you my explianation i'll condense it:

But since you asked: You can legally move out at 16, join the forces at 16, many places will charge you adult at 16, you lose a lot of the protection you recieve as a child at 16, you pay taxes at 16. Therefore you should have a say in who you're at war with, what protection is retained post 16, where your taxes go etc etc.

There are PLENTY of 16 year olds who know more about politics than many over 18's. Why should my generation have teh burden of teh older generations mistakes thrust down? (Thats a reference to the review of EMA). Surely, as a result of the change in government, i should have a say in whether i lose my EMA or not.

 

[Gazwag]

you pay taxes at 16.

Its only NIC that you start to pay at 16 (depending on earnings level) you "can" pay tax from birth

 

[KneeOn]

Its only NIC that you start to pay at 16 (depending on earnings level) you "can" pay tax from birth

Not me, but my mate has his bank interest taxed.

 

[Gazwag]

Not me, but my mate has his bank interest taxed.

if his total income is less than £6475 he can claim to receive it gross, like he would have done when he opened his account, its only that the banks need the form re-done at 16 and if you dont send the form back they will deduct tax

 

[Westdene Seagull]

I've voted to lower it to 16 based on the fact you can go and get a full time job at that age.

I'm not that bothered but I do think there should be a standard "adult age" and everything should be brought into line with that age - drinking, driving a car, voting, smoking, paying full price etc etc.

 

[KneeOn]

if his total income is less than £6475 he can claim to receive it gross, like he would have done when he opened his account, its only that the banks need the form re-done at 16 and if you dont send the form back they will deduct tax

I shall alert him to this then... thanks

I still say that 16, you should be able to vote because you're allowed to move out, and lose a lot of the protection and restrictions placed upon you as a child.

 

[withdeanwombat]

Voted to raise to 21. Should have gone for 61 really.

 

[Ned]

I was gonna spare you my explianation i'll condense it:

But since you asked: You can legally move out at 16, join the forces at 16, many places will charge you adult at 16, you lose a lot of the protection you recieve as a child at 16, you pay taxes at 16. Therefore you should have a say in who you're at war with, what protection is retained post 16, where your taxes go etc etc.

There are PLENTY of 16 year olds who know more about politics than many over 18's. Why should my generation have teh burden of teh older generations mistakes thrust down? (Thats a reference to the review of EMA). Surely, as a result of the change in government, i should have a say in whether i lose my EMA or not.

Some of those things can only be done with your parent's permissions, ie marry, join the forces etc

 

[HseagullsH]

I think it should stay as it is.

Although many 16 year olds know much more about politics than other 18 year olds, I do think that two years makes a big difference.

I certainly knew nothing about politics when I was 16 but have now taken a much greater interest in it (I'm 19)

 

[KneeOn]

Some of those things can only be done with your parent's permissions, ie marry, join the forces etc

Still can be done. Parental consent or not, you can do things at 16 that the ability to vote influences greatly.

 

[KneeOn]

I think it should stay as it is.

Although many 16 year olds know much more about politics than other 18 year olds, I do think that two years makes a big difference.

I certainly knew nothing about politics when I was 16 but have now taken a much greater interest in it (I'm 19)

Maybe thats because at 19 you can vote. If it were lowered to 16 a lot more 16 year olds are likely to want to vote and take an active interest.

 

[Acker79]

I don't think I knew enough about politics at 16. Now you could argue that that's my fault. I'd say one of the key risks with it would be that most 16 year olds are still living with their parents and therefore haven't had the chance to explore society and decide for themselves where their political allegiences (if any) lie.

But, that applies to lots of people of all ages. 40 year olds still live with their parents. 30 year olds don't all know about politics.

It seems to me that every argument against a 16 year old being allowed to vote can be applied to adults. Be it about intellect, world experience, influenced by other people (we don't have a test of independent thought before allowing people to vote). People with lat stage Alzheimer's (I mean the people so far gone they can't even use words correctly if they use them at all, people whose bodies have started to shut down because they forget to use them) have a a right to vote, aren't they as easily influenced as a 16 year old? Equally unable to comprehend what the vote is for? and so on.

 

[Billy the Fish]

Children shouldn't be allowed to vote, leave it as it is.

 

[Giraffe]

Tax payers only to vote. Most people who work know something about the economy and deserve the right to vote. Those that don't, including housewives don't.

 

[Husty]

I voted other. I would have no problem with the age being lowered but it would have to coincide with the introduction of mandatory politics classes into the school curriculum. I highly doubt most 16 year olds could even explain the voting system to someone so how can they be expected to vote in it?