Should the voting age in the UK be reduced to 16 years of age - Essay Example

And up till now, the prohibiting teenagers from the vote has received reasonably little attention in public discussion. (Shrag, 2004) “Only an approximately 40% of 18–24 year-olds voted in the general election in 2001. Only an estimated 11.5% of 18–24 year-olds voted in the local elections in 2002”. (www.neath-porttalbot.gov.uk) There are several reasons for these low numbers. Some individuals think that by lowering the voting and standing age would be a step forward to give confidence more young people to take interest in elections.

While the others think that younger people do not until now have enough considerate of issues like tax and public services to be permitted to a vote or stand as a candidate. The criteria for voting age restriction in most of the countries are 18. Some other countries have different age restriction of voting like, 20 and 21. A few other countries have lowered the age restriction to 16 or 17. On the other hand, some countries have a lower voting age for local level elections than for national elections.

Those who say we should keep the age limitations as they are saying that the related voting age in nearly all other countries means we have got it right. People think that only people over eighteen are mature enough and actually take political issues seriously. Right now, people are thinking whether or not sixteen-years old should be able to vote. Some people think that at the age of sixteen the teens are not old and mature enough to vote in an election. The truth is, they should be able to vote.

(Franklin, 2004, 45-56) At the age of sixteen, it is only 2 years away from eighteen, and thats not a very big of a difference. Teens also know what is right and wrong, do not have to wait until eighteen, the "legal" age. They also have the right for political parties to give serious